§ 36. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will now take steps to appoint equal opportunity officers in Government Departments of Afro-Caribbean and Asian origin.
§ The Minister of State, Privy Council Office (Mr. Richard Luce)Equal opportunity officers are designated on the basis of their overall suitability and not on the basis of sex or ethnic origin. As the hon. and learned Member knows, the designation of equal opportunity officers in individual Departments is a matter for Ministers in charge of Departments rather than for me.
§ Mr. JannerDoes it not strike the Minister as odd that, while every Government Department has an equal opportunities officer, these officers are neither female nor black nor Asian? When it comes to the selection of equal opportunities officers in Government Departments, does he not think that some applicants are just a teeny weeny bit more equal than others?
§ Mr. LuceAs far as I am aware, there are designated equal opportunities officers in every Government Department. I think that it would be entirely wrong to consider their selection or appointment on any criterion other than their suitability for the job.
§ Mr. HoltWhen my hon. Friend is considering this issue, will he reflect on the fact that many small firms in the furniture industry are being crippled by the effects of equal opportunity legislation? The Equal Opportunities Commission has an almost unlimited amount of finance available to it for legal costs, unlike many small firms. The result is that many small firms are facing bankruptcy, with the result that some members of their work force may become unemployed. The consequences are the same whether we have Afro-Asian officers or anyone else.
§ Mr. LuceI note what my hon. Friend says. I am concerned with appointments to the Civil Service, which are based on equality of opportunity. I believe that it is the right principle to pursue.