To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of jobs advertised by his Department in the last 12 months were online only applications; and what provision his Department makes for those wishing to apply for jobs in his Department who do not have access to the internet. (301548)

In the 12 months up to 26 October 2009, no jobs advertised in the Ministry of Defence were restructured to online applications only.

From 26 October 2009, the Ministry of Defence is seeking to encourage the use of online applications for jobs advertised externally, via the website:

www.civilianjobs.mod.uk.

Greater online applications should deliver an improved external recruitment service and generate efficiencies. The new arrangements still permit offline applications in cases where disability prevents internet access and are fully compliant with the Office of the Civil Service Commissioners' (OCSC) principles of fair and open competition and selection on merit.