§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what remarks were made concerning Oldham in the UK periodic report to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination. [2278]
§ Angela EagleThe United Kingdom's 15th periodic report to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD) was published in July 1999. The report details the legislative, judicial and administrative measures undertaken in the United Kingdom to address racism. The report provided an overview of the situation in the United Kingdom and did not therefore detail the situation in local areas or towns such a Oldham.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further measures he plans to take to promote improved community relations in Oldham. [2279]
§ Angela EagleShortly after the disturbance my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary met representatives from Oldham metropolitan borough council and Greater Manchester police, as well as hon. Members representing Oldham, to discuss the situation in the town. As a result, an action plan for recovery, to be prepared in Oldham following a review which will encompass the contribution of all sectors of the local community, is to be prepared within the next four months. The Home Secretary made it clear that the Government, across all Departments, stand ready to offer whatever support and independent advice is needed to help towns such as Oldham (and Burnley, which has of course since suffered similar disorder) begin to heal their divisions and build a better future.
I visited Oldham on 25 June to meet local people about the town's problems at first hand. However, the primary job of tackling the root causes of the complex social and specific problems that give rise to divisions and disturbances of this kind must be done at local level. We do of course welcome any local initiatives that help to address these issues in a constructive manner.
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of progress in eliminating racial discrimination in Oldham. [2277]
§ Angela EagleMy right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I have sought the views of our race advisers and the Commission for Racial Equality on the issue of racial discrimination in Oldham and the extent to which 465W it can be seen as a factor behind the recent disturbances there. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has also met representatives of Oldham council, local police, young people and local hon. Members to discuss this and other aspects of the situation. The Home Secretary has also asked the Government Office for the North-West for its views as to how matters can be improved in this area. I hope that, with our support, those who want to tackle racial discrimination in Oldham and its associated problems will identify what needs to be done over the weeks and months ahead. At the Home Secretary's meeting with local representatives it was agreed that within four months a local action programme would be prepared. This will no doubt contain, among other things, proposals for combating racial discrimination in Oldham.