§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his oral answer of 7 February to the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mr. Chidgey),Official Report, column 124, (1) if he will make a statement regarding measures he is taking to improve the working of the labour market which will address discrimination faced by ethnic minorities;
(2) what are the measures he has taken to tailor the most effective help for those facing prejudice on the grounds of race when looking for a job.
§ Mr. Oppenheim[holding answer 13 February 1995]: The Race Relations Act 1976 makes racial discrimination in employment matters generally unlawful and anyone 702W who feels that they have been discriminated against any complain to an industrial tribunal.
The Department's race relations employment advisory service advises employers on how to provide racial equality of opportunity. The Department has also published guidance for employers on this.
Helping people at a disadvantage in the labour market to find work is one of the strategic priorities set for training and enterprise councils. They are contractually obliged to ensure that they and their providers promote equality of opportunity in access to, treatment on and outcomes from their programmes. Performance-related funding encourages TECs to improve the rate of job outcomes from training for ethnic minority people.
The Employment Service applies the principles of racial equality of opportunity in its programmes and services. ES has taken a number of measures to assist people from ethnic minorities. Employers wishing to use ES provisions must comply with the Race Relations Act.