§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 March 2002,Official Report, column 1638W, 931W on racism, what further progress has been made in consultation with NGOs in drawing up a national action plan to ensure UK-wide follow-through in line with the action plan drawn up by the UN World Conference on Racism in Durban in September 2001; when he plans to publish a draft action plan for consultation; what events he is considering to discuss this plan; and what measures he will take to ensure the engagement of the devolved regions in this process. [52546]
§ Angela EagleI have been asked to reply.
Responsibility for taking this work forward falls to the Home Office. A working group of representatives from all interested Departments, including the devolved Administrations, is being established with a view to drawing up a national action plan by early summer. This will be done in close consultation with an non-governmental organisation (NGO) steering group which has been specifically set up for that purpose.
Much of the work recommended in the World Conference Programme of Action is already being undertaken or planned in United Kingdom. We are in the process of mapping out the extent of this work to identify any gaps. We are also considering with the NGO steering group plans for a national consultation exercise to discuss the draft action plan, culminating in a national conference in the autumn.