HC Deb 20 April 1989 vol 151 c287W
Mr. Janner

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. Douglas Hogg

The latest available figures show that 126 staff in grades 1 to 7 and their equivalents are women: this is just over 11 per cent. In the unified grades, 9 per cent. of staff at grade 3, 18 per cent. at grade 5, 4 per cent. at grade 6 and 15 per cent. at grade 7 are women.

Thirty six members of staff in grades 1 to 7 and their equivalents described themselves in staff surveys as of ethnic minority origin. This represents nearly 4 per cent. of respondents in these grades.

In the Home Office as a whole, 23 per cent. of staff are women: and 4 per cent. of respondents to staff surveys described themselves as of ethnic minority origin.

Mr. Janner

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. Douglas Hogg

All non-industrial staff in the Home Office were asked to state their ethnic origin in regional surveys conducted between 1983 and 1986. A further questionnaire was sent in September 1988 to those who had not previously responded. A survey of industrial staff will be undertaken shortly. People seeking posts in the Department are asked to state their ethnic origin when making their applications.

Mr. Janner

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

Mr. Hogg

Most senior posts are filled internally and the most important factor in increasing the number of ethnic minority staff in those posts will be their advancement over time through the promotion system. Considerable importance is attached to ensuring that they have every opportunity to do so. Recruitment direct to senior grades is generally conducted by the Civil Service Commission, and is always on the basis of fair and open competition. Advertisements make it clear that the Civil Service is an equal opportunities employer.