HC Deb 03 April 1996 vol 275 cc333-4W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will introduce legislation to inhibit racial discrimination. [23804]

Mr. Ancram

I expect to issue a draft legislative proposal for an Order in Council later this year.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how(a) the policy appraisal and fair treatment guidelines and (b) targeting social need policy have been applied to ensure equality for members of ethnic minority communities. [23807]

Mr. Ancram

The policy appraisal and fair treatment guidelines, which came into effect on 1 January 1994, aim to ensure that in the development or review of policies and programmes departments and agencies do not unfairly or unnecessarily discriminate against specified sections of the community, including people of different ethnic groups. The first annual report on PAFT recorded a range of measures in support of ethnic minority groups, and in 1995 the Government announced their intention to introduce race relations legislation in Northern Ireland.

Through the targeting social need initiative the Government seek to improve social and economic conditions by targeting resources on areas and people objectively defined as being in greatest need.

Irish travellers are a minority community which experiences high levels of disadvantage. However, generally speaking, membership of an ethnic minority group in Northern Ireland does not, of itself, indicate that a person suffers socio-economic disadvantage.