§ 31. Mr. BradshawTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of the racially aggravated offences introduced by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998; and if he will make a statement. [130352]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThis is the subject of a research project commissioned by the Home Office. Results are expected towards the end of this year and a report will be published early next year. The research is designed to look in detail at the operation of the legislation and the extent to which it is being used. It includes questionnaire surveys of key personnel in the police, Crown Prosecution Service and courts, in-depth interviews in five local areas and a thorough analysis of the available statistics.