HC Deb 11 March 1987 vol 112 cc231-2W
Mrs. Dunwoody

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the numbers of entrants to his Department from the ethnic minorities in the years 1985–86 and 1986–87; if he will also list the monitoring procedures used to ascertain the percentage of the work force represented by ethnic minorities and their patterns of promotion; and what are his methods of recruitment of minorities into the Department.

Mr. Lyell

The ethnic origins of new entrants have been surveyed since October 1985. The surveying is conducted initially during the induction period with a follow-up some time later. The available information for the period up to 31 May 1986 for which both procedures are complete is

Total New Entrants to DHSS in period 1 October 1985 to 31 May 1986 = 6,803
Ethnic Origins Number
White 4,386
Black/Asian 378
Not stated 2,039

The latest information available for the period up to 31 December 1986 for which only the initial issue is completed is

Total New Entrants to DHSS in period 1 June 1986 to 31 December 1986 = 6,281
Ethnic Origins Number
White 1,493
Black/Asian 131
Not stated1 4,657
1 This figure will substantially reduce following the reminder stage.

A phased programme of departmental surveys of the ethnic origin of non-industrial civil servants by means of voluntary self-classification is being conducted. By the end of 1986 the majority of non-industrial staff in the county of Avon, the north-west, the east and west midlands, London, the south-east and East Anglia had been surveyed. All remaining staff will be surveyed by 1988. Consideration is being given to ways of using the data on the ethnic origin of staff-in-post to monitor promotion.

All Departmental recruitment is conducted on the basis of fair and open competition, and selection is on merit. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Privy Council Office to her on 20 February at columns 880–81 reporting the arrangements being made to encourage people from the ethnic minorities to apply to the Civil Service.