HL Deb 05 April 1995 vol 563 cc21-2WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer by Viscount Cranborne on 7th December 1994 (H.L Deb, col. WA 98), what progress has been made by the Minister for the Civil Service and the Secretary of State for Defence in reviewing whether the rules for the Civil Service and for the Armed Forces, which make distinctions, exclusions or preferences on the basis of national extraction (as distinct from nationality or residence), can be relaxed and within what period of time it is expected that their review will be completed.

The Lord Privy Seal (Viscount Cranborne)

The review on the civilian side of the Ministry of Defence has been completed and from 1 April 1995 the nationality of the applicant's parents ceased to be a factor in the recruitment criteria for all but a few posts where national security considerations prevail. In the light of this the department will now consider whether a similar change should be made to the entry requirements for the Armed Forces.

The Cabinet Office review is progressing and is expected to be completed within three months.