§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. SainsburyThe numbers and percentages of women in senior posts are as follows:
Grade Number Percentage 1–4 2.0 1.8 5 13.0 3.7 6 10.0 1.2 7 111.5 3.6 Total 1–7 136.5 3.1 There are 41 (1 per cent.) staff at grades 1 to 7 who are from ethnic minorities all at grades 5 to 7.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. SainsburyThe Ministry of Defence has recently completed a survey in which all staff were asked to state their ethnic origin. Over 76 per cent. of staff responded. Information on ethnic origin is now sought as a matter of routine from all those who join the Department.
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§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to recruit members of ethnic minorities in top grades of employment at his Department.
§ Mr. SainsburyPosts in senior grades in the Department are generally filled through promotion from within. Members of ethnic minorities who have the appropriate qualifications are considered for promotion to such posts on the same basis as other staff. As I said in my reply of 24 June 1988 at column 740–41, a programme of positive action is now in hand which includes special steps to recruit staff from ethnic minorities. It is hoped that these steps will in time lead to a greater number of such staff being considered for senior posts.