§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many and what percentage of officers in grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, respectively, and overall in his Department are(a) women and (b) members of ethnic minorities.
§ Mr. EggarThe most recent information available as regards women officers in the aid wing of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and in the equivalent diplomatic service grades is as follows:
staff in the diplomatic wing who have identified themselves as coming from ethnic minorities is 97, representing 1.8 per cent. of respondents.
99WIn the aid wing, 1.7 per cent. of staff above grade 7 are from ethnic minorities. The total number of aid wing staff who have identified themselves as coming from ethnic minorities is 89, representing 5.9 per cent. of respondents.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department last conducted a survey of the ethnic origin of its employees; when it next plans to do so; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarNew recruits are asked to complete a form concerning their ethnic origins when they join the diplomatic or aid wings of the FCO.
An initial survey of the ethnic origins of existing staff was carried out in April 1986 with follow-up exercises in September 1986, and January-February 1988. There are no plans for a further survey of this kind.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to recruit members of ethnic minorities in top grades of employment at his Department.
§ Mr. EggarThere is no direct recruitment into the top grades of the FCO—above DS8–7D, equivalent to AT/HEO/D in the home Civil Service.
Appointments in the aid wing are by internal promotion or by open competition, and an equal opportunities policy is applied.
The FCO is an equal opportunity employer. This policy is made clear in recruitment literature and advertising, including, on occasions, in the ethnic press.