§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission, what policies are pursued to ensure that people from the ethnic minorities are recruited as Officers of the House.
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§ Mr. BeithIn recruiting all staff to the House of Commons service, it is the Commission's policy that all eligible persons shall have equal opportunities for employment and advancement on the basis of their ability, qualifications and fitness for the work and that there shall be no discrimination on any other grounds. The Commission has appointed an equal opportunities officer whose responsibility it is to monitor the Commission's policy of equal opportunity and to provide relevant advice to management and staff of the House.
Members of selection boards are provided with written guidance as to the conduct of interviews. This makes it clear that there must be no discrimination on grounds of colour, race, ethnic or national origins, sex or marital status.
The Commission monitors its policy on racial equality by asking candidates to complete a questionnaire indicating their ethnic origin. This is voluntary and it is explained in the accompanying literature that the ethnic information is confidential to the equal opportunities officer and is not available to those involved in the selection process.