Serjeant at Arms Department

HC Deb 02 May 1990 vol 171 cc567-8W

Ms. Walley

To ask the hon. Member for Berwick upon Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, how many of the Officers of the House employed in the Serjeant at Arms Department are women; what measures are in hand to increase these numbers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Beith

The only Officers of the House in the Serjeant at Arms Department are the Serjeant at Arms, the Deputy Serjeant at Arms, the Assistant Serjeant at Arms, and the two Deputy Assistant Serjeant at Arms, all of whom are men. The House of Commons Commission is, however, an equal opportunities employer and women are encouraged to apply for vacancies when they occur, on the same basis as men.