To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many women from ethnic minorities are employed by his Department and its agencies; at what grade; and what measures he has taken to encourage the (a) recruitment, (b) employment and (c) promotion of women from ethnic minorities within his Department and its agencies. [39905]

Two hundred and eighty, as at 8 October 1996.The information requested by grade cannot be provided without identifying individual members of staff which would be in breach of good confidentiality procedure. Staff are recruited on the basis of ability and irrespective of sex or race. The Department advertises all internal vacancies, open competitions and promotion on an equal opportunity basis.