§ Ms Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when she will publish the Fifth Annual Civil Service Fast Stream Recruitment report. [129927]
§ Marjorie MowlamThe annual Civil Service Fast Stream Report was placed in the Libraries of the House earlier today. It covers the year from 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000, and reports the results of Fast Stream competitions completed during that period and action undertaken for future competitions.
The report shows that there has been progress in broadening the diversity of Fast Stream recruits. In particular, for the first time the Civil Service has reached parity in the numbers of successful men and women applicants to open Fast Stream schemes. The standard of entry to the Fast Stream Development Programme has remained consistently high. In line with the experience of other major employers, the Civil Service did not fill all its Fast Stream vacancies in 1999, with specialist areas a particular source of concern.