Equal Opportunities (Hansard, 28 June 1988)

§ Mr. Janner
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has carried out monitoring exercises in accordance with the codes of the Commission for Racial Equality and of the Equal Opportunities Commission, respectively.

§ Mr. Donald Thompson
My Department has completed the ethnic origin surveys of staff in post. In respect both of ethnic minorities and women we are monitoring our recruitment exercises and shall start to monitor promotions and allocation to duties this year.

§ Mr. Janner
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has taken any positive action in accordance with the code of the Commission for Racial Equality.

§ Mr. Donald Thompson
Language training is made available in my Department for staff from ethnic minorities where the need arises. We have also contributed to the Cabinet Office (OMCS) training review which will identify areas where developmental or skills training could be arranged for black and Asian staff. As regards recruitment, we have advertised staff vacancies in inner city job centres. Further steps will be considered in the light of the results of our monitoring of recruitment and promotion.

§ Mr. Janner
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has appointed an equal opportunities officer.

§ Mr. Donald Thompson
My Department has had an equal opportunities officer since 1984.

§ Mr. Janner
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps to further consider equal opportunities for black employees, in accordance with the code of the Commission for Racial Equality.

§ Mr. Donald Thompson
My Department has completed the ethnic origin surveys of staff in post. Last year we 193W began monitoring the progress of ethnic minorities through all stages of recruitment competitions that we run. The monitoring of promotions and allocation to duties will be starting this year. Further steps will be considered in the light of the results which emerge.

Staff in post and responses to ethnic surveys as at 1 May 1988

Grade level equivalents¹

Staff in post Respondents by 1 May 1988²

Women Women as a percentage of all staff All replies All replies as a percentage of all staff Ethnic minorities Ethnic minorities as a percentage of all replies

Grades 1–7 63 6.7 807 85.8 6 0.7

Senior and Higher Executive Officers (SEO and HEO) 532 18.5 2,218 77.3 23 1.0

Executive Officers (EO) 723 40.4 1,204 67.3 32 2.7

Administrative Officers (AO) and below 3,037 71.1 2,824 66.0 178 6.3

Industrials 105 17.9 407 69.5 ³ —

Total 4,460 42.6 7,460 71.3 239 3.2

¹ Administrative grades and their equivalents; part-timers counted as whole units.

² The figures for respondents do not yet include a number of staff recruited by the Civil Service Commission.

³ Less than 5

Staff in post and responses to ethnic surveys as at 1 May 1988
Grade level equivalents¹
		Staff in post	Respondents by 1 May 1988²
	Women	Women as a percentage of all staff	All replies	All replies as a percentage of all staff	Ethnic minorities	Ethnic minorities as a percentage of all replies
Grades 1–7	63	6.7	807	85.8	6	0.7
Senior and Higher Executive Officers (SEO and HEO)	532	18.5	2,218	77.3	23	1.0
Executive Officers (EO)	723	40.4	1,204	67.3	32	2.7
Administrative Officers (AO) and below	3,037	71.1	2,824	66.0	178	6.3
Industrials	105	17.9	407	69.5	³	—
Total	4,460	42.6	7,460	71.3	239	3.2
¹ Administrative grades and their equivalents; part-timers counted as whole units.
² The figures for respondents do not yet include a number of staff recruited by the Civil Service Commission.
³ Less than 5