HC Deb 20 February 1990 vol 167 cc652-4W
Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken by Derry city council to ensure that the current imbalances in employment are being rectified.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

In 1986 at the request of Derry city council, the Fair Employment Agency (now the commission) investigated the council's employee patterns. A report on this investigation (published in 1987) found that the overall employment pattern derived from the analysis suggested that the council's employment procedures provided equality of opportunity in employment.

Under the Fair Employment (NI) Act 1989, the council has a duty to submit to the Fair Employment Commission annual returns monitoring the religious composition of its workforce. Until the first monitoring return is received, the commission will not hold up-to-date information on this breakdown.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken by Down district council to ensure that the current imbalances in employment are being rectified.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

In response to a request from the Fair Employment Agency (now the commission) in 1987, Down district council agreed to participate in a voluntary exercise to monitor the religious composition of its workforce and to submit the information obtained to the agency for consideration.

The Fair Employment Commission, in consultation with the council, is currently assessing the council's employment composition. This assessment has not yet been completed nor has a final report been sent to the council.

Under the Fair Employment (NI) Act 1989, the council has a duty to submit to the Fair Employment Commission annual returns monitoring the religious composition of its workforce. Until the first monitoring return is received, the commission will not hold up-to-date information on this breakdown.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken by Newry and Mourne district council to ensure that the current imbalances in employment are being rectified.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Under section 12 of the Fair Employment (NI) Act 1976 the Fair Employment Agency (now the commission) investigated Newry and Mourne district council in 1987. The report of the investigation has not yet been published but the commission has advised that the council agreed to accept a programme entitled "Future Action" which was included in the report and designed to ensure that equality of opportunity in employment is afforded.

Under the Fair Employment (NI) Act 1989, the council has a duty to submit to the Fair Employment Commission annual returns monitoring the religious composition of its workforce. Until the first monitoring return is received, the commission will not hold up-to-date information on this breakdown.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken by Strabane district council to ensure that the current imbalances in employment at non-management levels are being rectified.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Under section 12 of the Fair Employment (NI) Act 1976, the Fair Employment Agency (now the commission) investigated Strabane district council in 1988. The report of this investigation is still

Administration assistant Administration1 officer Executive1 officer 2 Executive officer 1 Staff officer
1. February 1990
Strabane 13 46 15 4 2
Limavady 8 29 10 4 1
Londonderry 31 126 42 10 4
Lisahally (Lisnakelly) 122 13 5 2 2

unpublished but the commission has advised that the council accepted all its recommendations for action to ensure that equality of opportunity in employment is afforded.

Under the Fair Employment (NI) Act 1989, the council has a duty to submit to the Fair Employment Commission annual returns monitoring the religious composition of its workforce. Until the first monitoring return is received the commission will not hold up-to-date information on the religious breakdown at non-management or other levels of employees.