To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to secure agreement for a European Union directive to require member states to take action to eliminate racial discrimination. [79011]

The Government welcome the new provisions in Article 13 of the Amsterdam Treaty, which will provide a legal base for taking Community action against racism and other forms of discrimination. The Government plan to continue to play a full and positive part in the development of Community action to tackle racial discrimination once the Treaty comes into force.