Liberal Democrat MP Dr Vincent Cable, the chair of the all party police group, told MPs that although he did not believe that the police force was "institutionally racist" he did believe the police were guilty of stereotyping different groups of people.

It was a practice, he said, that led to serious errors of judgement during the investigation into the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence in 1992.

'Canteen culture'

It was time, he said, that the "canteen culture" which tolerates racist comments and views within the force was stamped out by senior officers.

He said racist views in the force often led to the police "showing bias" and should be combated through increased recruitment from minorities and police training in race relations.

Lawrence investigation suffered say MPs

Mr Cable said black people were much more likely to be stopped and searched by the police.

Ironically this happened to Liberal Democrat peer Lord Dholakia who was stopped by officers on his way to address chief constables on race affairs.

Racism challenged

Dr Cable was backed by the Labour MP for Eltham, Clive Efford. It was in his constituency that Stephen Lawrence was murdered.

Mr Efford said the police had failed in their investigation of the case because of attitudes which led them not to act on evidence that could have secured arrests within 24 hours of the murder.

He added that "racism should be challenged everywhere" and that police were part this process.

'Institutional racism'

He also said that he did not accept the view of the Chief Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Paul Condon, that there was no institutional racism within the force.

Dr Vincent Cable: Canteen culture must end

"It would be a remarkable thing if there was no racism within the police. I would say to Sir Paul Condon that racism of whatever form which exists in the police force is there because there is racism within our society."

Mr Efford told MPs that in the 1997-98 report by Sir Paul, figures on the use of police powers showed that of 336,692 searches, 41% were of non whites which make up just 20% of London's population.

Policing by consent

Replying for the government, Home Office Minister Kate Hoey said the police needs to fully reflect the society it serves if it is going to continue to police by consent.

Kate Hoey: The police must have the trust of all citizens

She then pointed out that positive action was being taken by the police to address some of the concerns raised by MPs.

The Association of Chief Police Officers, she said, had drawn up best practice guidelines on race relations.

She said the importance the government attached to the problem of racism was highlighted by the inclusion of tough laws on racially aggravated offences in the recent crime bill.

Ms Hoey then took the opportunity to remind the House of the 1981 report into the police for by Lord Scarman which she quoted.

"A police force which fails to reflect the ethnic diversity of our society will never succeed in securing the full support of all its sections."