Written question asked by Lord Harries of Pentregarth (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 January 2010.

Equality and Human Rights Commission

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the remarks by the Solicitor General, Vera Baird, on 2 December (Official Report, Commons, col. 1226), when they commissioned research on caste from the Equality Commission; and when they expect the commission to report its findings.

Answer: The Solicitor General's statement relates to a request which the Government Equalities Office (GEO) had, then, recently made to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to take forward the Anti-Caste Discrimination Alliance's recommendation that the EHRC should undertake detailed research on caste. The EHRC, which is an independent body, has subsequently indicated it does not intend to undertake research in this area at the present time, although it is discussing the issue with stakeholders. GEO is therefore now in the process of seeking an alternative provider for this research on caste discrimination. It is working in consultation with both the EHRC and the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 926; 716 c260WA
Session: 2009-10
Related items: Equality Bill
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Proceeding contributions
House of Commons
Subjects: Equality and Human Rights Commission Discrimination Research
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk