§ Miss KirkbrideTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many Special Advisers employed by the Government are(a) men, (b) women and (c) from ethnic minorities; and how many attended (i) a state school and (ii) Oxford or Cambridge. [125565]
§ Mr. StringerAt 12 June, of the 79 Special Advisers in post, 20 are women. In response to a voluntary survey, the number identified from ethnic minorities are five or less. The exact number is not identified in order to protect the identity of the individuals in line with guidance in the Government Statistical Service Code of Practice. Information relating to the educational background of Special Advisers is not held centrally.