HC Deb 22 November 1995 vol 267 cc214-5W
Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of the employees of the Commission for Racial Equality are from(a) white European, (b) Asian, (c) black and (d) other ethnic minorities. [114]

Mr. Kirkhope

As at 30 June 1995, the breakdown of employees at the Commission for Racial Equality by racial groups was as follows:

Number Per cent.
White European 62 29
Asian 36 17
Black 97 46
Other ethnic minorities 17 8
212 100

Mrs. Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Commission for Racial Equality's 1994 restructuring programme, and indicate in particular both the total number of jobs which were shed as a result of that programme and the numbers of(a) white European and (b) ethnic minority redundancies associated with that total. [116]

Mr. Kirkhope

We welcome action by the Commission for Racial Equality to restructure its organisation to provide greater efficiency. No jobs were lost as a result of this exercise.

Mrs. Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is(a) his policy and (b) that of the Commission for Racial Equality in respect of the shortlisting and appointment of disproportionately few member of ethnic minorities; and if he will make a statement. [118]

Mr. Kirkhope

Appointments should be on merit and on the ability of the individual to meet the criteria for the post concerned. The Commission for Racial Equality's equal opportunities policy aims to ensure that no job applicant or employee receive less favourable treatment than another on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, or religious beliefs.

Mrs. Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members currently serve upon the Commission for Racial Equality; and how many of those are of white European background. [115]

Mr. Kirkhope

There are currently 12 commissioners on the Commission for Racial Equality. Two are of white European background.

Mrs. Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he intends to take to ensure that the ethnic representation among members and employees of the Commission for Racial Equality in future reflects that of society as a whole. [117]

Mr. Kirkhope

The Commission for Racial Equality operates an equal opportunities policy. I support this. It advertises vacancies in the mainstream press, and some of the ethnic minority press in order to ensure that all sections of the community are aware of job opportunities with the commission. Appointments should always be made on merit.

Mrs. Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to prosecute the Commission for Racial Equality for discriminatory employment practices; and if he will make it his policy to bring forward legislation to abolish that Commission. [119]

Mr. Kirkhope

We have no plans to do either.