§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. David HuntMy Department carried out a survey of the ethnic origin of its employees in May 1988. The 185W ethnic origin of all new entrants and leavers is monitored and there is no need for another survey. Since 1990, my Department has concentrated on the implementation of a programme of action to consolidate the equality of opportunity offered to people of ethnic minority origin.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to recruit members of ethnic minorities in top grades of employment at his Department.
§ Mr. David HuntThe Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency, acting on behalf of the civil service commissioners, is responsible for most recruitment into senior grades in my Department. It has taken a number of steps to encourage applications from and aid recruitment of members of ethnic minorities. Those include increasing contacts with minority communities; extending links with polytechnics, universities and tertiary colleges to attract a wider range of applicants generally, and specifically from ethnic minority communities; increasing ethnic minority representation among careers liaison staff and on selection panels; ensuring that relevant recruitment literature reflects a multiracial work force; equal opportunities training for those involved in selection; and using validated selection procedures to ensure that selection is fair and non-discriminatory.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. David HuntThe details, based on staff in post figures at 31 March 1992, are given in the table:
Number Per cent Grades 1–6 — — Grade 7 (1) 2 1.2 Department Total (2) 32 1.3 (1) Includes equivalent professional grades
(2) Includes agency and industrial staff. Part-time staff each count as one unit.