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The Prime Minister admits on television tonight that MPs do not "remotely" reflect the make-up of the nation they serve. "The present mix of the House of Commons does not remotely reflect the mix of the country as a whole, either in terms of Asian candidates, West Indian candidates, or indeed the male and female balance of the population," he says in an interview with Martin Bashir in tonight's BBC2 programme East.

The Conservatives have only one non-white MP, Nirj Deva (Brentford and Isleworth), and 18 female MPs out of 326. Both totals are likely to be reduced at the next election. John Major says he would be "delighted" to have more Asians standing for Parliament, but stresses the selection of Tory candidates is a matter for local parties, not for Central Office. On the programme, Tony Blair, the Labour leader, says he is also committed to having more Asian MPs, and Paddy Ashdown, leader of the Liberal Democrats, describes parliament as "the best gentlemen's club in London" and says it is something I want to break". John Rentoul