To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [39901]

The number and grades of known ethnic minority women in the Ministry including its agencies is as follows:

Grade equivalent	Number
Grade 7	2
SEO	3
HEO	12
EO	29
AO	99
AA	91
Total	236

The Ministry has in place comprehensive strategies aimed at ensuring equality and fair representation in recruitment, retention and development of both women staff and of staff of ethnic minority background. These strategies form part of the Ministry's wider equal opportunities policy.