To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what proportion of his Department’s employees are (a) male, (b) female, (c) from an ethnic minority, (d) disabled and (e) not heterosexual; and if he will make a statement. (208391)

The latest available data on the disability status and ethnic background of civil servants in Departments and agencies are as at 30 September 2006 and are published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) as Civil Service Statistics 2006. Information can be accessed from the following websites:

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=2899&Pos=&ColRank=1&Rank=422

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_labour/2006CivilServiceStatistics.pdf

Declaration of ethnic background and disabled status is voluntary.

The latest available data on the gender of civil servants are as at 31 December 2007 and are also published by ONS, as part of their wider Quarterly Public Sector Employment Statistics (QPSES). Information can be accessed via the following website:

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/STATBASE/Product.asp?vlnk=13615

Information on civil servants’ sexual orientation is not currently collected or published.

In 2005 the civil service 10-point diversity plan was launched. The plan aims to make the civil service representative of the population it serves. The 10-point plan is currently being revised and DEFRA will align its strategy accordingly. DEFRA will develop an inclusive approach which will aim to increase diversity at all grades within the organisation.