HC Deb 19 October 2001 vol 372 cc1399-401W
Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce legislation to outlaw discrimination on the basis of religion and faith; and if he will make a statement. [8476]

Angela Eagle

[holding answer 18 October 2001]The Government are tackling religious discrimination in a number of ways.

I have recently introduced proposals to widen the law to make incitement to religious, as Nell as racial hatred, a criminal offence, as part of the Government's measured response to tackle terrorism and those who exploit fears it raises.

hotspots. Their use must be monitored to ensure that they help to reduce accidents. Those that do not will have to be moved to a more appropriate location or removed altogether.

Our aim in strengthening the guidance is to ensure that, as far as possible, one set of rules applies to all speed cameras, whether or not part of the netting-off scheme and this includes mobile speed cameras. Mobile cameras are not covered by the existing guidance, but we want to ensure that, in future, the use of these cameras is guided by similar principles to those that apply to fixed cameras to reduce accidents. Fixed site cameras will have to be highly visible, and so will officers using mobile cameras. All areas where cameras, whether fixed or mobile are in use will have to be clearly signed, and the deployment of cameras will have to be well publicised locally.

Bob Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money was collected(a) nationally and (b) in Essex from (i) static and (ii) mobile speed cameras in (A) 1998–99, (B) 1999–2000 and (c) 2000–01. [8213]

Mr. Denham

[holding answer 18 October 2001]Information collected centrally does not identify the type of cameras used. Available data, by calendar year, are given in the table. Figures for 2000 will be available towards the end of the year.

Under the netting-off scheme for camera funding piloted in Essex and seven other areas, income from fines is used to meet the camera costs.

The Government are committed to implementing the Article 13 EC Employment Directive outlawing discrimination in employment and training on grounds that include religion by 2 December 2003. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will consult widely later in the autumn on proposals for implementation.

The Census Act 1921 was amended to include a question on religious identity in this year's census. This will provide central and local government with reliable data on our faith communities, which will help inform the planning and delivery of services sensitive to the needs of faith communities.

The Human Rights Act 1998 also provides protection against religious discrimination.

But legislation alone is not enough, as research participants recognised. They favoured a comprehensive approach in which education, training and a greater effort to teach more in schools about the diversity of faith would all play an important part. We are looking at how best to do this.