§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer given by Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish on 4th June 1996 (WA 113) concerning the absence of a communication from the Equal Opportunities Commission to the Department of Social Security (DSS) on the low proportion of men employed by the DSS, whether they will enquire into the possibility that sexual discrimination may exist in the DSS and, in the light of the fact that male unemployment in the United Kingdom is 2.5 times that of female unemployment, whether they will consider action to raise the percentage of men employed by the DSS to a figure higher than 33 per cent.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Social Security (Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish)The department and its agencies have policies which lay down their commitment to equal opportunities and affirm their opposition to discrimination on the grounds of race, gender or disability. Measures have been introduced to combat both direct and indirect discrimination. All personnel practices, including recruitment and promotion are monitored to ensure that they are fair. All staff responsible for recruitment and promotion receive equal opportunities awareness training. Through the implementation of these policies, the department aims to ensure that the best person, regardless of race, gender or disability, is recruited for the job.