Commission for Racial Equality

HC Deb 18 May 2004 vol 421 c853W

Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Commission for Racial Equality Office in Leeds will close and if he will make a statement. [170238]

Fiona Mactaggart

I understand from the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) that the lease on its Leeds office is due for renewal, but that an in-principle decision not to extend it has been taken in view of the likely expense involved in making the premises compliant with the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act and in enhancing security measures to protect staff. It is therefore proposed that Leeds-based staff be transferred to the Manchester office in order to create a unified CRE presence in the north of England. The Commission is presently consulting its partners on this proposal.