§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures his Department has taken to encourage the promotion of women into senior positions within his Department and its executive agencies. [35673]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansThe Department is committed to equality for all its employees, including female staff. This includes ensuring that recruitment and promotion is made on merit.
The Department is a member of Opportunity 2000 and has drawn up a number of goals aimed at achieving a better balance work-force. This is supported by a three-year rolling programme of action.
The proportion of women is steadily increasing at all management levels in the Department. Women now make up 10.6 per cent. of staff at grades 1 to 3. This compares well with the private sector, where women are believed to make up 3 per cent. of directors and 4 per cent. of board members. Women also comprise 18.8 per cent. and 16.2 per cent of staff at grade levels 4 and 5 respectively. Some 5.2 per cent. of staff at grade level 1 to 5 work part time.
In 1993, the DTI published a summary of progress on equal opportunities for female staff in the Department since 1984. This also includes the departmental action plan and Opportunity 2000 goals. A copy is in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list(a) the number of (i) male and (ii) female employees, (b) the number officials employed at each of the principal grades and percentages of women employed at these grades and (c) the numbers of staff employed at administrative grades and the number and percentages of these staff that are women, in his Department and for each of its executive agencies for each year since 1985. [35684]
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§ Mr. Jonathan EvansThe information requested is not readily available in the time available. I will write separately to the hon. Member.