§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on anti-Semitic incidents in the last six months; and what representations he has received on the causes of such incidents. [156562]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienAnti-Semitic incidents are not recorded separately by the Home Office. The police in the year 1999–2000 recorded 47,814 racist incidents. The Board of Deputies of British Jews recorded some 221 anti-Semitic incidents in the six months from September 2000 to February 2001.
I have not received any specific representations on the causes of such incidents. I have, with my ministerial colleagues, met with representatives of the Jewish and Muslim communities in the last six months to discuss concerns that the situation in the Middle East should not lead to a breakdown in the good relations between the communities in the United Kingdom.