§ 101. Mr. JannerTo ask the Minister for the Civil Service what representations he has received concerning the progress of the Civil Service's equal opportunities employment programme.
§ Mr. LuceI have received some representations. The Civil Service has a range of policies to encourage equal opportunities in all areas.
§ Ms. RichardsonTo ask the Minister for the Civil Service what grade his office recommends as being appropriate for departmental equal opportunities officers.
§ Mr. LuceGuidance on the appointment of departmental equal opportunity officers is set out in the programme of action to achieve equality of opportunity for women in the Civil Service, which was published by my Department in 1984. This guidance recommends that in larger Departments, the equal opportunity officer should be appointed at grade 5 or grade 6 level. In smaller Departments, the guidance recommends that the officer should not usually be more than two grades below that of the principal establishment officer and should not, normally, be below grade 7 level.