§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Education 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. FormanA survey of the ethnic origins of staff was undertaken in 1990 since when our data base has been continuously updated as new staff join the Department. In addition in 1990 this Department launched its own programme of action to achieve equality of opportunity for people of ethnic minority origin. We have already achieved the objective to establish ethnic origin data on 98 per cent. of our staff.
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§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Education 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. FormanWe do not hold information on the ethnic origin of all our staff but of those who have responded to the ethnic monitoring survey—98 per cent.—those from ethnic minorities at 1 May 1992 are:
Number Percentage Grade 1–4 0 0 Grade 5–6 6 1 Grade 7 7 4 Overall 199 8 The survey was conducted on the understanding that anonymity would be preserved. Any further breakdown of the figures could identify individuals and cannot therefore be provided. The figures provided for each grade are on a head count basis and include grade equivalents.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he has taken to recruit members of ethnic minorities in top grades of employment at his Department.
§ Mr. FormanRecruitment of grades above administrative officer is undertaken by the Recruitment and Assessment Services agency on behalf of the Civil Service Commissioners. Various steps have been taken by the agency to aid recruitment of members of ethnic minorities including the increase of contacts with minority communities and extending links with universities, polytechnics and tertiary colleges to attract a wider range of applicants generally and specifically from ethnic minorities.