To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 24 March (WA 110) stating that “the Crown Prosecution Service does not take into consideration gender, sexual orientation and ethnic origins in ensuring the most suitable candidate is appointed”, whether that principle has been applied without exception and observed across the public service since 1997. [HL2666]

Recruitment into the Civil Service is based on the principle of selection on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Recruitment to the wider public sector is not subject to regulation by the Civil Service Commissioners.