§ Mr.BoothTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the current position in the civil service regarding equality of opportunity for women, people of ethnic minority origin and disabled people.
§ Mr. David HuntI am pleased to announce the publication today of the first in a series of annual data summaries of equal opportunities in the civil service. The Government are committed to equality of opportunity for all people and is determined that the civil service should set the best possible example. Figures show that, taking the service as a whole, steady progress has been made422W over the last five years by women, individuals with disabilities and members of ethnic minorities. They make up a higher proportion of the service overall and are increasingly to be found at senior grade levels.
Hon. Members may also like to see an Office of Public Service and Science paper describing in more detail the current situation regarding ethnic minorities in the civil service. "Equal Opportunities in the civil service for People of Ethnic Minority Origin" was presented to the Home Secretary's advisory council on race relations by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary, OPSS, on 26 January 1995. Copies of both publications have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.