Ethnic Monitoring

HC Deb 13 February 1985 vol 73 cc197-8W

Mr. Janner

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether, as a result of the ethnic surveys undertaken in the north-west and county of Avon, respectively, he has asked the key questions specified in the code of the Commission for Racial Equality; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hayhoe

The Government will be taking the key questions into account in considering the data arising from the north-west and Avon and subsequent surveys.

Mr. Janner

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will now take positive action, as recommended in the code of the Commission for Racial Equality, in order to remedy any discrimination revealed by the ethnic surveys undertaken in the north-west and the county of Avon, respectively.

Mr. Hayhoe

The information obtained in the survey of staff in the north-west and county of Avon will need to be considered in relation to that obtained from the surveys of job applicants in these areas, which should be available in the spring.

Mr. Janner

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether as a result of the ethnic surveys undertaken in the north-west and the county of Avon, he is planning any change in methods of recruitment, promotion or training, respectively, or otherwise, so as to counter any possible discrimination.

Mr. Hayhoe

We shall be considering what further steps are necessary in the light of the report on recruitment surveys in the north-west and Avon, to be published in the spring. We have already strengthened the central guidance on recruitment and promotion following the report on the review of personnel policies and procedures as they affect race relations in the Civil Service published in December 1983 in an endeavour to counter possible discrimination. Similar steps are in hand to update guidance on training.

Mr. Janner

asked the Minister for the Civil Service when he expects to begin the ethnic surveys to cover all non-industrial staff in the east and west midlands.

Mr. Hayhoe

The surveys are expected to begin this summer in the east and west midlands.

Mr. Janner

asked the Minister for the Civil Service when he expects to institute a programme of ethnic monitoring to cover industrial staff in the east and west midlands.

Mr. Hayhoe

An appropriate timetable is still being worked out.

Mr. Janner

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what necessary arrangements he is making in order to introduce ethnic monitoring to all new entrants to the Civil Service; when he expects such arrangements to commence and to be completed; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hayhoe

Discussions between departmental officials are taking place to set up procedures for obtaining the ethnic information from new entrants from the autumn.

Mr. Janner

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what separate arrangements are being worked out for the ethnic monitoring of industrial staff; and by whom.

Mr. Hayhoe

The working environment and management systems for industrials are different from those for non-industrials. An appropriate method and timetable for the surveys is being worked out by officials from the Cabinet Office, in consultation with employing departments and the trade union side of the Joint Co-ordinating Committee for Government Industrials.

Mr. Janner

asked the Minister for the Civil Service by whom consideration will be given to further monitoring of recruitment schemes in the light of the results of the recruitment surveys undertaken in the north-west and county of Avon, respectively, and when; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hayhoe

Further monitoring of recruitment schemes will be considered by officials of the Cabinet Office and Her Majesty's Treasury in the light of the results of the recruitment surveys undertaken in the northwest and the county of Avon. A statement will be made when the report on these surveys is published in the spring.

Mr. Janner

asked the Minister for the Civil Service by whom the recruitment surveys undertaken in the northwest and the county of Avon are being analysed.

Mr. Hayhoe

The surveys are being analysed centrally by officials of the Cabinet Office and Her Majesty's Treasury.

Mr. Janner

asked the Minister for the Civil Service who is preparing the report on the data from the recruitment surveys undertaken in the north-west and county of Avon, respectively.

Mr. Hayhoe

The report on the data is being prepared by officials of the Cabinet Office and Her Majesty's Treasury.