HC Deb 04 February 2000 vol 343 c745W
Maria Eagle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the progress of the University of Derby's research project into religious discrimination, which he commissioned in April 1999. [109088]

Mr. Straw

The interim report of the University of Derby's research project into religious discrimination was published on 31 January. Copies are available in the Library or from the research project's web-site at: www.multifaithnet.org.

The interim report is useful in beginning to develop a better understanding of the complex issues around religious discrimination. We hope it will inform the debate in advance of the publication of the research project's full findings, due this autumn.

It is important to remember that this is an interim report only (based on a literature review and consultation with relevant organisations); it does not yet include any information from the research project's own data collection, which is continuing. The final report will inform the development of policy in this important and sensitive area.