HC Deb 23 July 1984 vol 64 cc713-4
49. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he has completed the evaluation of the surveys of the ethnic origins of non-industrial civil servants in the north-west and the county of Avon; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hayhoe

A report on the surveys is being published today and copies are being placed in the Library.

Mr. Janner

Will the Minister give the House the assurance that once the report is available and has been evaluated—which means now—the Government will cease their current scandalous practice of refusing in all their Departments to carry out the recommendations of the Commission for Racial Equality—which has had a code in force on the subject since 1 April this year—so that we may see the Government taking a lead in being fair to people instead of dragging behind those whom they are encouraging to go forward?

Mr. Hayhoe

I believe that the Government have taken and will continue to take a lead in seeking to ensure that there is no racial discrimination in employment in the Civil Service. I hope that that view is supported in every quarter of the House.

Mr. Forth

Does my hon. Friend agree that affirmative action in any respect is not the answer to the problem, and that merit and qualification will always be the main criteria for appointments to positions of the sort that have been mentioned?

Mr. Hayhoe

Yes of course merit must be a criterion, but it is also very important, as I hope my hon. Friend will agree, that racial discrimination does not occur anywhere in this country, and particularly in employment in the public service.

Mr. Dubs

Does the Minister agree that only by monitoring to check whether racial discrimination is taking place can we feel assured that the Civil Service is applying a true equal opportunities policy? If the results of the experiment are positive, will the Minister introduce a system throughout the Civil Service at the earliest opportunity?

Mr. Hayhoe

A decision on future surveys will be made as soon as possible. Discussions are taking place with some of the unions, which have appeared to change their policy towards these matters recently.

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