§ Lorna FitzsimonsTo ask the Solicitor-General what action has been taken by the Crown Prosecution Service to identify institutional racism in its employment of staff and in the carrying out of prosecution functions; and what action has been taken or proposed as a result. [111283]
854W
The Solicitor-GeneralThe CPS is strongly committed to equality for all staff and has agreed a programme of action with the Commission for Racial Equality. As a result of this agreement, the CRE has suspended its decision to carry out an investigation of the CPS under the Race Relations Act 1976. As well as implementing action on training, development and selection, the CPS has commissioned Sylvia Denman CBE, a leading academic with a distinguished background in equality issues, to carry out a review of the Service.
The terms of reference of the review will include investigating the processes, behaviour and attitudes present in the CPS to determine the extent to which race discrimination and institutional racism may exist in the Service nationally. Mrs. Denman will present her preliminary report towards the end of April 2000.
The CPS last year set up an Equality Committee, chaired by the Chief Executive, with sub-groups on race and women. The Committee is responsible for driving through policy and action on equality in the CPS. It includes representatives from the Equal Opportunities Commission and NACRO. The CPS is implementing an Immediate action plan on race, which has been agreed with the CRE. An action plan for implementation of longer term initiatives drawn up by the sub-group on race will be presented to the Director's Board at the end of February.
The CPS participated in a major research project on the ethnic monitoring of young offenders, conducted by Dr. Bonny Mhlanga of the University of Hull. Dr. Mhlanga's report was published in October 1999. The research project found no evidence of unfair discrimination by the CPS in its casework decisions against defendants from ethnic minorities, indicating that decision the CPS is performing its role as an independent prosecuting authority properly and effectively.