Fair Employment (Hansard, 16 July 1993)

HC Deb 16 July 1993 vol 228 cc690-1W 690W

§ Mr. McGrady
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action will be taken by the Fair Employment Commission to ensure that the Agricultural Research Institute, Carrickfergus borough council, Chief Electoral Office and the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company implement affirmative action and outreach programmes; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Atkins
All public concerns specified at 1 January 1990 under the Fair Employment (Specification of Public Authorities) Order (Northern Ireland) 1989, as amended, 691W were required to have completed a review of their employment composition and practices by 1 January 1993. Where, as part of this review, an employer determines that members of a particular community are not enjoying or are not likely to continue to enjoy fair participation in employment, the employer is required as part of the review to determine reasonable and appropriate affirmative action.
The Fair Employment Commission is currently studying public sector employers' reviews to establish whether the commission considers that the employers' determinations concerning fair participation are correct and to promote affirmative action where it is necessary.

§ Mr. McGrady
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action will be taken by the Fair Employment Commission to ensure that private sector concerns which employ fewer than 10 employees from one community implement affirmative action and outreach programmes.

§ Mr. Atkins
Under section 31 of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989, all registered concerns are required to complete a review of their employment composition and practices within three years of the date of their registration with the Fair Employment Commission.
The commission is using its statutory powers to ensure that employers have completed their reviews in accordance with the legislation and, where necessary, are taking the appropriate affirmative action and have set goals and timetables for change.
Additionally, the commission is using its powers of investigation under section 11 of the Act to conduct investigations into 47 large private sector concerns, some of which have a very low representation of one community.