HC Deb 13 July 1987 vol 119 c701
95. Mr. Butler

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on the operation of the top management programme.

The Minister of State, Privy Council Office (Mr. Richard Luce)

Yes, Sir. The top management programme was established in February 1985 for very senior staff from the public and private sectors. The civil servants involved are generally grade 3. The tenth programme is currently taking place. The programme has been very well received by participants and the organisations which send them.

Mr. Butler

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his reappointment, but may I ask him to ensure that the top management programme places a great deal of emphasis on interchange with the private sector so that civil servants can learn the lesson of Lord Young and how to solve problems rather than always concentrate on the obstacles?

Mr. Luce

The private sector participates in top management conferences and, of course, pays for them. I believe that the fact that the private sector is working side by side with civil servants during those conferences does both sides a great deal of good.

Mr. Janner

Is it correct that no member of any ethnic minority group has taken part in the top management programme? Has a monitoring exercise of any sort been applied to that programme in accordance with the code of the Commission for Racial Equality?

Mr. Luce

Offhand, I cannot tell the hon. and learned Gentleman whether members of ethnic groups have taken part in this management programme, but I can easily find the answer for him. The hon. and learned Gentleman is aware that we attach a great deal of importance to ensuring that there is equal opportunity and that people are promoted into the service on merit. We have undertaken monitoring to see whether we can further the cause of equality of opportunity. However, promotion and entry into the service must be on the basis of merit.