Dr Julian Lewis: Does the Minister [Douglas Alexander] agree that one department in which people from ethnic minorities could make a vital contribution, in the current environment, is the Security Service? Can he say whether the Security Service has succeeded in recruiting people from ethnic minorities who would be of particular value under current circumstances?

[Mr Alexander: As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, there is a long-standing precedent not to discuss the Intelligence Services in this place. If there are specific matters of relevance that I can divulge, however, I shall happily write to him on that point.]