§ Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last carried out an analysis of information required for sex monitoring of his Department.
§ Mr. Butler[pursuant to his reply, 6 February 1984, c. 482]: The comprehensive personnel data for officers in the Northern Ireland Civil Service in September 1980 which were assembled for the investigation recently completed for the Fair Employment Agency classified officers according to sex. A number of analyses relevant to sex monitoring were subsequently carried out. The experience gained will be used to devise (in consultation with the appropriate interests) ongoing arrangements for monitoring comprehensively the provision of equality of opportunity, including sexual equality.
As far as the Home Civil Service within the Northern Ireland Office is concerned, no formal analysis of information has been undertaken. However, the departmental Whitley machinery will be used to implement the programme of action, following up the report of the joint review group on employment opportunities for women, which will be announced shortly. As part of this programme, the data required for sex monitoring purposes will be reviewed.