To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the main purposes for which grants under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 are paid to local authorities.

Under section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966 grant may be paid for the employment of staff to local authorities who make special provision for ethnic minorities whose language or customs differ from those of the rest of the community. The grant is an important way in which barriers preventing people from the ethnic minorities from using fully the opportunities for economic, educational and social development can be broken down and to enable them to play a growing and effective part in the mainstream of British life.Section 11 grant has been the subject of a scrutiny review. The review is currently being considered with a view to ensuring that the grant meets more effectively the needs of the ethnic minorities and we hope to be in a position to announce the results of that consideration in the not too distant future.