HC Deb 26 February 1992 vol 204 cc502-3W
Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken by the Social Security Agency to appoint equality officers to ensure that fair employment legislation and sex discrimination legislation is being adhered to in relation to all staff appointments.

Mr. Hanley

The Civil Service Commissioners for Northern Ireland are responsible for the selection of all permanent non-industrial staff appointed to the Northern Ireland civil service, including the Social Security Agency. The selection procedures adopted take account of equal opportunity legislation. The Department of Health and Social Services, within which the agency operates, has in place a departmental equal opportunities officer to ensure that the equal opportunities policies of the NICS are put into effect.

Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken by the area health and social services boards to appoint equality officers to ensure that fair employment and sex discrimination legislation is being adhered to in relation to all staff appointments.

Mr. Hanley

An equal opportunities unit has been established in each health and social services board since 1988. The primary responsibility of these units is to ensure that equality of opportunity policy of their board is applied to all staff regardless of religious affiliation, gender or disability. These units are also responsible for ensuring that the provisions of the fair employment legislation are applied to all staff.

Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to ensure that persons involved in interview panels in the area health and social services boards are adequately briefed about employment legislation to ensure equality under the Fair Employment (NI) Act 1989 and the Sex Discrimination (NI) Order 1988.

Mr. Hanley

Each of the health and social services boards organises courses and seminars for staff involved in selection and appointments to ensure its policy of equality of opportunity is applied regardless of religious affiliation, gender or disability and to explain how the provisions of the fair employment legislation apply to staff in post and to applicants and appointees.

Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to publish the religious breakdown of companies, organisations and businesses in accordance with requirements of the fair employment legislation.

Mr. Needham

The Fair Employment Commission has made public its intention to publish information on the composition of individual private sector concerns with more than 25 employees and specified public authorities. The date and manner of publication have not yet been decided.

Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Fair Employment Commission will publish its report into employment practices in the colleges of further education located within the Belfast education and library board.

Mr. Needham

The Fair Employment Commission has forwarded a draft report of its investigation into teaching staff in further education colleges in Belfast to the Belfast education and library board. The board's formal response is awaited by the commission.

The commission plans to publish the report when this response has been received and considered.