§ Mr. EffordTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department of the Macpherson Inquiry recommendations; and if he will make a statement. [80534]
§ Dr. HowellsI refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 14 April 1999,Official Report, column 239.
This Department has already launched a Programme of Action for Racial Equality. Its key objectives are to address the problem of under-representation of ethnic minority staff at middle and senior management levels within the Department and raise awareness of racial equality issues among all of its staff. The Department will continue to review its policies in the light of the inquiry's recommendations.