RACISM IN WALES

Early day motion 1336, tabled 20 May 2002 by Simon Thomas (Plaid Cymru). Signed by 16 members.

That this House notes with alarm that the BNP are considering standing for election to the National Assembly for Wales; further notes that in 1996-97 the incidence of racially motivated crimes was higher in Gwent than in London; is concerned that the rate of reported racist incidents is increasing dramatically in all parts of Wales, for example from 517 in 1994 in South Wales to 1,602 in 2000; further notes that all ethnic minorities in Wales also have a higher rate of unemployment than white people; therefore believes that Wales cannot afford to ignore the problem of racism; and calls for a mature debate on racism in Wales and for all political parties to join together to fight racism and extreme right wing politics in Wales.

Signatures by party: Labour 10, Liberal Democrat 3, Plaid Cymru 2, UUP 1.