§ Mr. Keith HillTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people are employed by her Department to provide advice on the application of equal opportunities; and at what cost in the last year for which figures are available. [14465]
§ Mrs. GillanThis Government are committed to equal opportunities and issued to all Departments model guidance on policy appraisal for equal treatment. This ensures that the impact on particular groups, such as women, is considered as part of the policy development and review process. Specific guidance, based on this model was issued within the Department last September.
Consequently, in addition to the personnel related functions in respect of the Department's own employees, advice on the application of equal opportunities is an important strand in a wide number of the Department's activities and apart from two specialised units, for which details are given, it is not possible to disaggregate either the number or the cost of staff involved.
The Department's sex and race equality division has responsibility for the sex discrimination legislation, promoting equality of opportunity in education, training and at work, particularly with regard to gender and race; and to further women's issues more generally. The division has 57.2 staff with a budget for 1996–97 of £1,905,661. This includes 21 employees in the race relations employment advisory service with a budget of £669,376.
The team responsible for the successful implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act has 5.6 staff and a budget for 1996–97 of £181,910.