§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of employees, in each pay band, in the quangos for which her Department is responsible, are of(a) Asian origin and (b) Afro-Caribbean origin. [9578]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyThere is no statutory requirement on employers to maintain personnel records about the ethnic origin of their employees. Moreover, the recruitment and employment of staff in non-departmental bodies are generally operational matters for each individual body. The information requested is not therefore formally maintained by Northern Ireland Departments.
§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of employees in her private office are(a) of Asian origin and (b) of Afro-Caribbean origin. [9577]
§ Marjorie MowlamThe figures for employees in my London private office are two of Asian origin 16.7 per cent., and one of Afro-Caribbean origin, 8.3 per cent. It is not possible to provide the information requested in respect of employees in my Belfast private office. Staff in Northern Ireland are not monitored in respect of ethnic origin, but the Department will be reviewing monitoring polices to take account of the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 when it is implemented.