§ Mr. SykesTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the progress towards achieving equality of opportunity for women staff in the civil service. [17803]
§ Mr. David HuntConsiderable progress has been made since the first programme for action to achieve equality of opportunity for women in the civil service was launched in 1984. Women now represent 51.3 per cent. of staff in the non-industrial home civil service compared with 47.7 per cent. in 1984. Women?s participation is also increasing in the management grades, with almost 10 per cent. at grades 1 to 3 compared with under 5 per cent. 10 years ago. Nearly half of executive officer level posts—the first step in the management rung—are now held by women. Indeed, a huge range of complex jobs is being carried out by ambitious, committed women in all grades up to the very top.
A report on the progress made since 1984 towards achieving equality of opportunity for women in the civil service was published yesterday. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.