HC Deb 09 March 2000 vol 345 cc817-8W
Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 2 March 2000,Official Report, column 379W, if he was informed before the Commission for Racial Equality's meeting on 7 February that additional funding had been promised to Global Cultural Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd by his Department; if he or any of his Ministers authorised such funding or promises of funding; and if he will make a statement. [113800]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

I do not accept that a promise was made to provide additional funding.

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 1 March 2000,Official Report, column 288W, concerning the Global Cultural Diversity Congress, if he will make a statement on the timescale for the review to be conducted by the Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality which he announced on 22 February. [113803]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

The timetable is still under discussion with Gurbux Singh. It will be announced shortly.

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 1 March 2000,Official Report, column 288W, concerning the Global Cultural Diversity Congress, if he will place the full text of the report by the Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality in the Library when it is available, along with the key findings of the report. [113802]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

I refer to the reply given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 6 March 2000,Official Report, column 548W.

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answers of 2 March 2000,Official Report, columns 378–83W, if he had been informed of (a) the involvement of Mr. Hugh Harris with Global Cultural Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd. and (b) the fact that additional funding for Global Cultural Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd. was to be discussed at the Commission for Racial Equality's meeting on 7 February, when he appointed Mr. Harris as acting Chairman of the Commission of Racial Equality on 7 February; and if he will make a statement. [113804]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, was aware that Hugh Harris was a member of the Board of Global Cultural Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd at the time of his appointment, but did not become aware until later of all the issues that led my right hon. Friend, to decide that substantial public funds could not be justified to support the Congress.

My right hon. Friend was also aware that additional funding for Global Cultural Diversity Congress 2000 Ltd was to be discussed at the Commission for Racial Equality's meeting on 7 February.