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Early day motion tabled by primary sponsor Ann Winterton (Conservative), on Monday, 27 November 1995, in the House of Commons. It is signed by 5 members in total.

COMMISSION FOR RACIAL EQUALITY

That this House reaffirms its view that all citizens should be equal before the law and be free from discrimination on grounds of race; welcomes the fact that the overwhelming majority of the population both from the 94 per cent. white European ethnic majority and from the 6 per cent. ethnic minority communities live peacefully and harmoniously respecting the diversity of cultures and religions which brings a genuine richness to British life; notes, however, with profound concern that among the 212 staff of the Commission for Racial Equality only 62, or 29 per cent., are from the main white European ethnic group, whilst 150 staff, or 71 per cent. are from ethnic minorities; further notes that the Commission also demonstrates a bias against Asians of whom there are nearly twice as many in the population at large when compared to black ethnic groups, but who are so disadvantaged by the Commission in that there are nearly three times as many blacks among its employees as there are Asians; further notes that among the 12 Commissioners only two are of white European background; believes that such a situation is intolerable in a public body funded to the tune of ??16 million in the current year; and urges the Home Secretary to bring forward proposals for the abolition of this hypocritical, divisive, and anachronistic organisation.

Amendments

The Early day motion has received 2 amendments.

117A1
leave out from `life' to end.
117A2
leave out from `House' to end and insert `congratulates those who are working to overcome racial discrimination and promote equality of opportunity; welcomes the contribution the Commission for Racial Equality is making to this effort, recognises that, whereas the overwhelming majority of the British people abhor racism, there remains deeply seated problems of prejudice and racial inequality which all positions of responsibility should be addressing; welcomes the vital contribution the Commission is making with its Uniting Britain for a Just Society public education campaign, the development of its authoritative racial equality standards for employers and local authorities, backed by the CBI, TUC, AMA, ALA, ADC and Institute of Personnel Development, its initiative for the Kick Racism out of Football Campaign which is supported by all 92 professional league clubs and all the authorities, its supportive and dynamic role in the Race for Opportunity Campaign launched by blue chip employers in Britain, its handling of over 2,000 individual complaints during 1994 with less resources than previously, its successes in getting settlements for victims of discrimination without recourse to costly litigation, its excellent publication of professional guidance on racial equality in further education backed by the Further Education Funding Council and the EOC, and its excellent co-ordination of the All Different-All Equal campaign for young people in Britain against racism, xenophobia and intolerance; welcomes the Commission's leadership on race equality matters; congratulates it for receiving an award for its outstanding work at the British Diversity Awards; and welcomes the Home Secretary's appointments of commissioners from different backgrounds which reflects Britain's ethnic diversity.'.

Secondary information

Type
Early day motion
Reference
117 
117A1 
117A2 
Session
1995-96
Subjects
Commission for Racial Equality
Link
View this Early day motion on www.parliament.uk