§ Mr. Keith HillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are employed by his Department to provide advice on the application of equal opportunities; and at what cost in the last year for which figures are available. [14476]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotMy Department employs a total of 10 people in central branches to provide policy advice on the application of equal opportunities for both service and civilian personnel at a total annual salary cost of some £312,000. Additional advice is provided at working level throughout the Department and its agencies by service and civilian equal opportunities officers, many of whom undertake the task in addition to other duties. Information about the total number and cost of people employed in this latter role is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Promoting equal opportunities is something to which we attach a high priority in my Department, both among the armed forces and among civilian staff. We continue to make it clear, through policy statements and other initiatives, that this is an area where all personnel, irrespective of rank or grade, have responsibilities.