BOLTON MP Brian Iddon has told ministers of his shock that he is yet to meet a member of his constituency's Asian community who has joined the armed forces.

And he has made a Commons call for the military to launch a new drive to recruit from this group of the population.

The Bolton South East MP asked Armed Forces Minister Doug Henderson for figures for recruitment to the Army, Navy and Airforce from Britain's ethnic minorities.

Mr Henderson said that between April 1 and August 31 this year, there were 147 recruits from this group -- 1.7pc of the total intake.

Figures for Ministry of Defence civilian recruits show that between April 1, 1997 and March 31 this year, there were 117 taken on from the ethnic minorities -- 1.4pc of the total.

Dr Iddon told Mr Henderson: "My constituency has an unemployment rate of 7.5pc, higher than the Bolton, the North West or the national average figures.

"We also have a large Asian community, but I've yet to meet a member of that community who has joined the armed forces.

"Have you conducted any detailed and serious research to find out why members of the Asian community are not joining the armed forces?

"Is the reason cultural, a fear of discrimination, or what?"

Mr Henderson replied: "You are right to raise the importance of armed forces recruitment in areas where there is high unemployment among black and Asian people.

"I think that both black and Asian people have the opportunity of a first choice career in the armed forces.

"A number of studies have been carried out to establish why both black and Asian people are reluctant to join the forces, and those studies are continuing.

"We have tried to make changes where possible, and to convey to members of the black and Asian communities that they can have a good career and good education. We've also given them a guarantee that all possible action will be taken to outlaw discrimination and racism."

Mr Henderson admitted to Tory MP Julian Brazier that the Territorial Army, currently being cut back, was one of the few areas where ethnic minorities were prepared to join the military, but said that had been taken into account by ensuring that the TA remains strong in those areas where there was recruitment of black and Asian people.

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