§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's failure in 1994–95 to achieve its target for staff who are from ethnic minorities; and for what reasons this target has been reduced for 1995–96. [23264]
§ Mr. Arbuthnot[holding answer 28 March 1996]: The Department's 1994–95 target for civilian staff from ethnic minority backgrounds was set at 1.9 per cent. A percentage of 1.6 per cent. was achieved and our 1995–96 target is to maintain this level. The target of 1.9 per cent. was set against high levels of recruitment in the early 1990s. Given lower levels of recruitment, reductions in staff numbers and relocations from London, maintenance of existing levels of ethnic minority representation is a more realistic expectation.