§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his future plans for provision of health care in rural areas of South Yorkshire.
§ Mr. FreemanProvision and planning of local health services is a matter for the district and regional health authorities. Since responsibility for South Yorkshire lies with four district health authorities—Barnsley, Doncaster,
Total Women 1Recorded ethnic minorities Number Number Percentage Number Percentage All grades 14,880 6,745 45.0 384 2.6 Grade 1 1 0 — 0 — Grade 2 3 0 — 0 — Grade 3 18 1 5.6 0 — Grade 4 15 0 — 0 — Grade 5 92 8 8.7 1 1.0 Grade 6 110 0 — 2 1.8 Grade 7 645 42 6.5 14 2.2 1 Figures for numbers of ethnic minority staff are based on a voluntary confidential survey of staff; the response rate was 72 per cent. overall and 84 per cent. for grades 1 to 7.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. Peter BottomleyThe Department completed its voluntary survey of the ethnic origins of staff already in post in the autumn of 1987. This information is kept up to date on a continuous basis by asking job applicants to complete a questionnaire about their ethnic origin.
The Cabinet Office will be publishing the results of its national ethnic survey of all Departments later this year.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to recruit members of ethnic minorities in top grades of employment at his Department.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Civil Service Commission is responsible for recruitment of top grades to all Departments of the Civil Service. Recruitment and promotion are carried out on the principle of fair and open competition.