§ 5. Jane GriffithsWhat targets his Department have set to increase the number of people from ethnic minorities in Britain's armed forces. [31407]
§ Dr. ReidThe Government are determined that access to the armed forces is open to the widest possible reservoir of talent and, as part of that, the armed forces should better reflect the ethnic composition of our society. As part of that commitment, for the year starting in April, the goal for each service will be that 2 per cent. of new recruits this year should be from the ethnic minorities, with the figure rising annually by 1 per cent., so that it 8 reaches 5 per cent. by the end of the financial year 2001–02 and, in time, reflects the proportion of people from ethnic minority communities in the wider population.
§ Jane GriffithsI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. What targets have been set for the Household Division, which, under the previous Government, was singled out for criticism by the Commission for Racial Equality?
§ Dr. ReidExactly the same targets have been set for the Household Division. I wish to express my gratitude for the way in which the Household Division has tackled the issue. We are working in partnership with the Commission for Racial Equality, and I have been impressed by the determination of the leadership of the Household Division, which stems from the reasons that I mentioned earlier—the effectiveness of our armed forces and their ability to recruit from the widest possible reservoir of talent—and is nothing to do with political correctness. I have been impressed by the commitment to pursuing that agenda that has been shown by the leadership.
§ Mr. SoamesI congratulate the Minister on the progress that he is making on a difficult, but essential and worthwhile, task. Does he agree that all three services have long recognised that it was not being done as well as it should be, and that they are determined to achieve much better figures? Is it not important that, when possible, members of the ethnic minorities should be able to serve together in bigger blocks than just one or two, which would make them feel more comfortable and perhaps would give them a better start?
§ Dr. ReidYes, I am glad to respond positively to both those points. No one should be under any illusions that the issue is not difficult and complex. The answer does not lie entirely with the armed forces, and we are building on the previous relationship with the Commission for Racial Equality. On the hon. Gentleman's second point, as we move on from a situation in which individuals are isolated, and therefore more exposed to those elements whom we wish to remove from the armed forces, it is better if larger numbers can be kept together for the sake of solidarity in the wider group. The hon. Gentleman's point is well taken.