§ Ms. RichardsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he has implemented to ensure that recruitment and promotion policy in his Department does not directly or indirectly discriminate against applicants who were mature students or women returning to work following a career break due to child care.
§ Mr. ScottThe Department operates an equal opportunities policy aimed at avoiding discrimination. All those involved in recruitment and promotion selection are issued with guidance on how to avoid unfair and unjustifiable discrimination. Chairmen of recruitment and promotion boards are required to ensure that no discrimination of any kind, direct or indirect, is allowed to prejudice the assessment and selection of candidates. Boards' decisions and the reasons for them, which are required to be recorded, must be impartial and restricted to matters relevant to the job and a candidate's ability for it.