§ Ms. RichardsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. RifkindMy Department conducts training courses for members of recruitment and promotion boards which contain elements on the avoidance of discrimination and these are supplemented by written guidance.
Subject to certain conditions, my Department reinstates all applicants who resigned for domestic reasons. Previous service is taken into account for pay and seniority purposes and, in certain circumstances, previous performance assessments count towards eligibility for promotion boards.
My Department has no special measures relating to the recruitment or promotion of mature students.