§ Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ What is their total annual expenditure on funding the United Kingdom secretariat for the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia. [HL3349]
§ Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government's total expenditure for the UK secretariat for 2003–04 was £66,858.
§ Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Whether they intend to withdraw funding support for the United Kingdom secretariat for the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia; and, if so, what are their reasons for this decision. [HL3350]
§ Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government will cease funding the UK secretariat on 30 June 2004. Unlike her predecessor, the new UK member of the European Monitoring Centre (EUMC) management board does not carry the significant extra duties of chair of the management and executive boards of the EUMC. She therefore does not have the same need for a support office in London as her predecessor. The centre in Vienna is now fully up and running and able to provide practical support to board members, unlike when the secretariat was established. Furthermore, the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) is currently developing a European strategy and is becoming more engaged with European processes—a fact which is inevitably leading to a duplication of activity between the CRE and the secretariat which the Government 32WA cannot justify funding. This decision was taken after careful consideration and in no way represents any reduction in the UK Government's commitment to the EUMC or to the fight against racism at national or European level.