§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what conclusions the Government have reached about the recommendations in the report on the plant variety testing and seed certification systems in the United Kingdom issued in April 1988.
By grade and grade equivalent Total staff Total respondents Ethnic minority respondents Ethnic minority respondents as percentage of total respondents 1 1 1 — — 2 5 5 — — 3 24 20 — — 4 16 14 — — 5 111 96 1 1.04 6 103 88 1 1.13 7 942 776 7 0.90 All staff 10,331 7,786 295 3.78
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when his Ministry 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. RyderMy Department carried out ethnic origin surveys of all permanent staff-in-post during 1983–87 and all new entrants to my Department are asked to complete ethnic origin questionnaires when they apply for vacancies. We are also doing a follow-up survey of staff who have not provided information on their ethnic origin. For the latest available figures from the surveys I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him today in reply to another question.
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§ Mr. MacGregorMy right hon. Friends and I have examined the recommendations in the light of the views expressed by individuals and organisations. We have decided that work on implementing the majority of the recommendations should now proceed and that a few should be deferred.1 am placing a document in the Library of the House giving details of what the Government have decided on each recommendation.