HC Deb 11 March 1976 vol 907 cc603-4
6. Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the proportion of female to male employees in senior grades in his department.

Dr. Summerskill

At the end of February there were 756 men and 61 women employed full time at principal level or above.

Mr. Janner

Does my hon. Friend consider that the regrettably few ladies who work in her Department with, rightly, full equal rights should be entitled to retire five years earlier than their male colleagues?

Dr. Summerskill

The small number of women in senior posts at the Home Office is not peculiar to the Home Office or even to the Civil Service. It reflects the situation found throughout industry, local government and most of the professions. I shall refer my hon. Friend's second point to the Minister of State, Department of Health and Social Security.