§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to recruit members of ethnic minorities in top grades of employment at his Department.
§ Mr. NorrisRecruitment for senior grades is undertaken by the Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency on behalf of the Civil Service Commissioners.
In order to aid the recruitment of members of ethnic minorities to senior grades the agency has formed links with universities, tertiary colleges and ethnic minority communities. Recruitment literature reflects a multi-racial work force; and validating selection procedures are in place to ensure that selection is fair and non-discriminatory.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what percentage of officers in grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, respectively, and overall in his Department are members of ethnic minorities.
§ Mr. NorrisThe numbers and percentages of non-industrial ethnic minority staff identified in the Department and its agencies at 1 April 1991 are:
Grade Total number of respondents Number of ethnic minority respondents Percentage of ethnic minority respondents 1 1 0 0 2 4 0 0 3 18 0 0 4 20 0 0 5 88 1 1.1 6 144 4 2.8 7 660 20 3.0 Total 935 25 2.5 These figures are based on responses to a voluntary confidential survey of staff. Overall, 4.8 per cent. of all respondents to the Department's ethnic origin surveys are of ethnic minority origin.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department last conducted a survey of the ethnic origin of its employees; when it next plans to do so; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NorrisThe Department completed a full survey of the ethnic origin of non-industrial staff in January 1991. A targeted re-survey took place in September 1991, and further targeted re-surveys will be conducted where necessary.
Ethnic origin information is sought from all new entrants. The Department's ethnic origin database currently records 86 per cent. of staff.