HC Deb 21 July 1986 vol 102 cc14-5
23. Mr. Janner

asked the hon. Member for Berwick upon Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, what information he has as to the monitoring of the sex and ethnic origin of staff at the Palace of Westminster and applicants for employment at the Palace of Westminster.

Mr. A. J. Beith (A House of Commons Commissioner)

The House of Commons is an equal opportunity employer and, following arrangements agreed for the Civil Service, a programme for monitoring the ethnic origins of staff of the House is to be conducted in the near future. The details of this programme are subject to discussion between management and trade union representatives. There is currently no monitoring of the sex of staff of the House or of applicants for employment.

Mr. Janner

Can the hon. Gentleman say why the House of Commons, of all places, has not yet complied with the codes of the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equal Opportunities Commission? Surely it should be for the House to set an example to others and not to drag behind in what is an important area of equal opportunities, in which it is not good enough merely to say that the House is an equal opportunities employer and then to continue to operate what appears to me from casual observation to be a sexist and racist organisation in which employees do not reach the top unless they are from the majority?

Mr. Beith

The House of Commons Commission is making every effort to implement the code of practice. Indeed, it is statutorily bound to follow the Civil Service in doing so. The timetable by which it is carrying out the proposals is based upon adhering to that statutory obligation and consulting the trade union representatives within the House. I know of no basis for the hon. and learned Gentleman's wild charge that the House is either racist or sexist in the way in which it carries out its employment responsibilities.

Mr. Stokes

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that for jobs in the Palace of Westminster the only criteria should be suitability for the post and loyalty to this country?

Mr. Beith

Perhaps I should remind the hon. Gentleman that the Commission is responsible only for its employees and not for the entire staff in the Palace of Westminster. A number of separate organisations employ staff here. The features to which the hon. Gentleman has referred are, of course, part of our employment policy. We have a duty to ensure that there is no discrimination on the grounds of race or sex in employment within the House.

Mrs. Shields

As there is a House of Commons barber, does the Commission have any plans for establishing a ladies' hairdresser?

Mr. Beith

I am delighted that, from the Liberal Bench, we may have increased the demand for ladies' hairdressing facilities within the House. However, I must tell my hon. Friend that the matter is one for the Services Committee. Were she to address her question to the Leader of the House, I am sure that he could give her an account of the lengthy discussions that have taken place on this subject.

Mr. Harris

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that many hon. Members think that the question on the Order Paper appears thoroughly racist and sexist, and that we should have nothing to do with discrimination, one way or the other?

Mr. Beith

The House of Commons Commission is carrying out its proper duties to ensure that there is no discrimination in employment. It is also seeking to ensure, by the monitoring process that has been agreed for the Civil Service generally, that it has full knowledge of whether people of particular ethnic groups and the two sexes have appropriate opportunities for promotion within the service of the House.