that the principle of fair and open competition and selection on merit is maintained. 356. A statement setting out the current position with regard to the Civil Service as an equal opportunities employer is attached (see annex to this report). Local government officers 357. There has been a long tradition in the United Kingdom that senior local government officers, like senior civil servants, do not undertake public political activity, since the public profession of political views is difficult to reconcile with impartial service to a local authority as a whole. Recently, with the increased politicization of local government, that tradition has been undermined. The Local Government and Housing Bill, which is currently before Parliament, seeks to introduce into local government a requirement that senior local government officers, like senior civil servants, do not undertake public political activity. Ethnic minorities 358. This section concentrates on those members of ethnic minorities who regard themselves as such, principally those with an Afro-Caribbean or Asian background (although many will have been born in the United Kingdom). Lav magistrates 359. A survey published in March 1988 showed that the proportion of ethnic minority magistrates appointed in England and Wales increased from 1.8 per cent in 1980 to 4.6 per cent in 1986. On 1 January 1987, 1.9 per cent of serving magistrates were of an ethnic minority background (455 out of 23,730). This survey covered the whole of England and Wales with the exception of the counties of Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside, where appointments to the bench are made by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The Government now has an informal system of monitoring the number of magistrates from the ethnic minority communities appointed. CCPR/C/58/Add.6 page 77 Judges 360. There is only 1 judge from the ethnic minorities out of 415. The 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the representation of ethnic minorities in various professions, including the Civil Service, local government, magistracy, and judiciary. The language used is formal and official, suggesting a report or document from a government agency or institution. The topics discussed are related to equality, diversity, and inclusion, which are often found in the context of human rights and social policies.

**Category**
Employment, Humanitarian aid and relief