§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Prime Minister if she will make it the policy of Her Majesty's Government to implement a programme of positive discrimination to improve the take-up of posts by entrants from the ethnic minorities, in particular in the Cabinet Office, the Home Department, the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Health and Social Security; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterUnder the Race Relations Act 1976, discrimination in selection in favour of ethnic minority or white candidates on the grounds of their race, colour or ethnic origin is unlawful. There are no plans to implement a programme of positive discrimination in recruitment. The Civil Service is taking positive steps which demonstrates its commitment to making a policy of equal opportunities effective.