Equal Opportunities (Hansard, 19 April 1989)

§ Mr. Janner
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy 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. Parkinson
As at 1 April 1989 there were no women in grades 1 to 4; three (7 per cent.) at grade 5; one (5 per cent.) at grade 6; and 18 (12.5 per cent.) at grade 7. Information on ethnic origin in these grades is not yet available.

§ Mr. Janner
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy 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. Parkinson
A survey was completed in 1986 and a further survey is planned later this year.

§ Mr. Janner
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he has taken to recruit members of ethnic minorities in top grades of employment at his Department.

§ Mr. Parkinson
My Department, which is an equal opportunities employer, does not itself recruit to senior posts. The Civil Service Commission recruits to these positions, following equal opportunities procedures.