§ 16. Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he proposes to eliminate the religious imbalance in the Northern Ireland Civil Service reported by the Fair Employment Agency.
§ Mr. ButlerThe Fair Employment Agency report of 8 December 1983 shows that the Northern Ireland Civil Service practises fair recruitment and promotion procedures and that both communities are now actively seeking employment in the service. These factors can be expected to accelerate the closing over recent years of the gap in the ratios between Protestants and Roman Catholics. The main recommendations in the report will now be discussed in detail with the agency and the trade unions.
§ Mr. RossI thank the Minister for his reply. Does he agree that it is still the case that 70 per cent. of those employed in local government or Government circles in Northern Ireland are Protestant and 30 per cent. are Roman Catholic? That proportion should be changed. Does he agree that more Catholics should be employed as soon as possible?
§ Mr. ButlerAs I said to the hon. Gentleman in my reply, the gap has been closing over recent years and there is every reason to suppose that it will continue to close.