§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department last conducted a survey of the ethnic origins of its employees; when it next plans to do so; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe Department completed its latest voluntary survey of the ethnic origins of its staff during January 1991. The Department's response rate following the re-survey is 91 per cent. This information will be kept up to date by asking new entrants to complete an ethnic background questionnaire.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what percentage of officers in each grade (1–7) and overall in the Department are(a) women and (b) from ethnic minorities, respectively.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe numbers and percentages of women and ethnic minority staff employed in the Department at present are:
Total Women Recorded number Ethnic1 percentage Number Percentage All grades 15,274 7,005 45.86 644 4.22 Grade 1 1 — — — — Grade 2 4 — — — — Grade 3 20 — — — — Grade 4 18 1 5.50 — — Grade 5 107 8 7.47 1 0.93 Grade 6 146 2 1.36 3 2.05 Grade 7 526 58 11.02 16 3.04 Total 822 69 8.38 20 2.43 1 These figures are based on a voluntary confidential survey of staff, the response rate overall and for the grades 1–7, is 91 per cent.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to recruit members of ethnic minorities in top grades of employment at his Department.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe Civil Service Commission is responsible for the recruitment of top grades to all Departments of the civil service. Recruitment and promotion are carried out on the principle of fair and open competition.
The Commission is extending links with universities, polytechnics and tertiary colleges to attract more applicants including those from ethnic minorities; ensuring that its recruitment brochures reflect a multi-racial work force; and validating selection procedures to ensure that they are fair and non-discriminatory.