HC Deb 30 October 1987 vol 121 cc463-4W
Ms. Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is (a) the proportion of working time allocated to his departmental equal opportunities officer for equal opportunities duties, (b) the other duties carried out by the department equal opportunities officer, (c) the proportion, and the amount, of the departmental budget allocated to equal opportunities work, (d) the number of occasions when the departmental equal opportunities officer meets equal opportunities officers from other Government Departments each year, (e) the guidelines issued to departmental training officers and equal opportunities officers to promote the use of section 47 of the Sex Discrimination Act and (f) what action has been taken to facilitate job share, part-time working and parental leave.

Mr. Portillo

The departmental equal opportunities officer (DEOO) is the focal point for equal opportunities awareness within the Department. Central guidance is routed through him and all personnel are made aware of the importance of equal opportunities policy and practice through departmental circulars and instructions.

  1. (a) It is not possible accurately to measure the amount of time spent by the DEOO on equal opportunities work. However, the DEOO has a full-time deputy and support staff.
  2. (b) Other duties carried out by the DEOO are personnel and administration and these often overlap with equal opportunities work.
  3. (c) There is no specific budget for equal opportunities work. However, a budget of approximately £8,000 was set aside for the current financial year to cover travel, subsistence and printing. In addition, those responsible for implementing equal opportunities work, for example personnel and training officers, make provision for this in their budgets.
  4. (d) Meetings of DEOOs are held at least once a year. In addition, ad hoc meetings, seminars and working groups are held throughout the year on particular subjects.
  5. (e) No specific guidance is issued. A programme of action for women, "Equal Opportunities for Women in the Civil Service", has been agreed with trade unions and has led to running a course, "Women in Management".
  6. (f) Job share and part-time working are encouraged and publicised in departmental circulars and leaflets. Maternity leave of up to one year is routinely allowed and paternity leave is currently under consideration by Treasury. Sympathetic consideration is also given to the provision of special leave to cope with domestic difficulties such as sickness and school holidays, and this facility is publicised to staff in manuals and instructions.