§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (i) equal opportunities and (ii) fair employment policies are implemented by the Customs and Excise Department in Northern Ireland; and which members of staff are exempt from these policies. [1911]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 6 June 1997]: Customs and Excise operates an equal opportunities policy for all its staff. The aim of the policy is to provide equality of opportunity for employment and advancement on the Department of the basis of ability, qualifications and aptitude for the work.
In relation to Northern Ireland in particular, the Department is committed to ensuring that the skills and abilities of staff from both the Protestant and Roman 567W Catholic communities are developed and used to the full. This means that no job applicant or member of staff will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of their religious belief or political opinion.
No member of staff is exempt from the equal opportunities or fair employment policies.