§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures are in place to monitor and enforce fair employment and equal opportunities policies in Customs and Excise in Northern Ireland. [1912]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 6 June 1997]: Customs and Excise, along with all other civil service departments and agencies with staff in Northern Ireland, submit an annual return via the Cabinet Office to the Fair Employment Commission. This covers the perceived religious composition of the workforce in Northern Ireland and those who apply for vacancies.
Customs also undertakes a full review of its policies and procedure relating to equality of opportunity in employment in Northern Ireland for the Fair Employment Commission every three years. The last such review was in 1996.
449WIndividual personnel systems, such as appointments, personal appraisal, pay and grading and training and development opportunities are monitored in respect of community background for Northern Ireland, taking account of the Codes of Practice from the Fair Employment Commission and the Equal Opportunities Commission.
As a matter of policy all Customs staff in Northern Ireland are receiving equal opportunities training.