Written question asked by Lord Callaghan of Cardiff (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 May 1996. It was answered by Lord Freeman (Conservative) on Tuesday, 21 May 1996 on behalf of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

Question: If he will comment on the progress of ethnic monitoring within the Civil Service. - Inc figs and ref to regular reports on progress as regards equal opportunities across the civil service are published by the Cabinet Office (in Lib).

Answer: Mr. Callaghan: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the progress of ethnic monitoring within the civil service.[29929] Mr. Freeman: Equality of opportunity in employment is vital to the effectiveness of the civil service and to good race relations. Ethnic origin monitoring data provides a powerful tool for identifying where barriers exist for the recruitment and advancement of ethnic minority staff. Since 1989 departments and agencies have been working to an agreed code of practice on collecting this information from entrants and existing staff, and they continue to do so. The programme for action on race, introduced by the Cabinet Office in 1990, provides a strategic framework for progress towards race equality in departments and agencies, which includes monitoring. Regular reports on progress as regards equal opportunities across the civil service are published by the Cabinet Office and placed in the Commons Library. In the year to April 1995, the ethnic minority representation across the civil service rose to 5.4 per cent., which compares with 4.9 per cent. in the economically active population. Information for April 1996 is currently being compiled and will become available later in the year.

Secondary information