§ Mr. BaldryTo ask the Minister for the Civil Service what progress has been made on achieving equality of opportunity within the Civil Service for women and those from the ethnic minorities.
§ Mr. LuceWe are making good progress in this area. My Department will, next week, publish a report on progress achieved in implementing the programme of action to increase equality of opportunity for women in the Civil Service. This shows that opportunities for combining a family and a career are improving, and that we are seeing more women in middle and top management jobs. As I told the House on 22 May, a similar programme of action to increase equality of opportunity for ethnic minority staff and applicants is currently being drawn up in consultation with departments.