HC Deb 31 March 1993 vol 222 cc262-3W
Mr. Janner

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when his Department last conducted surveys of(a) ethnic origins and (b) the number of women among its employees; when it next plans to do so; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. David Hunt

There has never been a need to undertake a survey of female staff in my Department as the sex of employees is evident from staff records.

A survey of the ethnic origin of staff in my Department was carried out in May 1988. There is no need for another survey since the ethnic origin of all the entrants and leavers has been monitored since that time.

Mr. Janner

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many and what percentage of officers in each grade from one to seven and overall in his Department are(a) women, (b) from ethnic minorities and (c) disabled people.

Mr. David Hunt

The details, based on staff in post figures at 1 July 1992, are given in the following tables.

Women
Grade Number Percentage
1 — —
2 — —
3 1 10
4 1 14
5 11 18
6 17 19
7 39 22
Departmental Total 1,222 49
Numbers of ethnic minorities
Grade Number Percentage
Grades 1–6 — —
Grade 7 2 1.1
Departmental Total 30 1.2
Registered disabled people
Grade Number Percentage
Grades 1–5 — —
Grade 6 2 2
Grade 7 1 0.6
Departmental Total 38 1.6

My Department also employs several unregistered disabled people.

Note:

1 Part-time staff count as one unit

2 Includes equivalent and professional grades

3 Includes Agency and industrial staff

Mr. Janner

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to recruit women, members of ethnic minorities and disabled people, respectively, in top grades of employment at his Department.

Mr. David Hunt

Most recruitment into senior grades in my Department is undertaken by the Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency acting on behalf of the civil service commissioners. Recruits to senior grades are selected on merit on the basis of fair and open competition, unless one of the exceptions permitted under the civil service Order in Council 1991 applies. The commissioners have taken various steps to aid recruitment from all sectors of the community including extending links with higher education establishments to attract a wider range of applicants and using validated selection procedures. They also encourage equal opportunities training for those involved in selection.