Ford let off race inquiry

The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) has suspended its decision to

formally investigate racism at the Ford motor company's Dagenham plant

in Essex. This follows assurances by Ford that it will adhere to the

CRE's conditions for improvement within a tight timetable.

The CRE had been set to investigate the incidence of racial

discrimination at the plant, and Ford's response to reports and

complaints of discrimination. Following a meeting between CRE

commissioners and Nick Scheele, head of Ford Europe, the company has

agreed to:

*adopt the terms for a wide-ranging review of its race equality

practices and complete them by 12 April 2001;

*work with the CRE to implement changes identified by the review, and

set out an action plan for improvement;

*establish clear, independent means for measuring effective and lasting

cultural change;

*establish new fast-track procedures for dealing with incidents of

discrimination and complaints by staff; and

*evelop a clear framework for ensuring corporate leadership and

accountability for delivering the improvements.

CRE commissioner Ray Singh said: "If the timetable is not met or if in

any other way there is not full compliance, then we will need to

reconsider whether the investigation by the commission should proceed."