HC Deb 29 March 1999 vol 328 cc490-1W
Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will provide a breakdown, in numerical and percentage terms, of the ethnic origin, at 1 March, of(a) her private office,(b)Government special advisers, (c) her policy unit and (d)staff in total. [78500]

Mr. Foulkes

(a) Information on the ethnic origin of staff in the Private Office cannot be provided as the small numbers involved could lead to the identification of individuals, contrary to the Code of Practice agreed with the Civil Service trade unions.

(b) In relation to special advisers, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office to my hon. Friend the Member for Brent, East (Mr. Livingstone) on 22 February 1999, Official Report, column 39.

(c) DFID does not maintain a separate Policy Unit in support of Ministers.

(d) My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office will provide this information centrally.

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