Improving diversity in all aspects of UK life is an admirable ambition.

However, applying specific quotas, as is often championed today, is fraught with danger.

Would gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and disability all be involved when determining such quotas.

Are quotas to be allocated on a UK wide basis or individual country basis or on a regional/county basis.

Ethnic population is about 16 per cent of the UK general population.

However, in Northumberland, the ethnic population is only about 1.4 per cent of the general population and even less in rural areas.

Should all employers and institutions to be covered by the same quota objectives.

Or, should it be limited to those employing more than "x" number of people, plus all government bodies and TV/press media.

Who would determine such quotas?

Who would monitor and apply sanctions regarding their achievement?

Selecting a list of candidates for any particular post would be a nightmare if all diversity quotas were to be applied.

There could also be an adverse effects when trying to using such quotas for social engineering purposes.

If quotas are to be applied fairly across the board, the following questions may be asked:

l Should 50 per cent of primary school teachers and midwives be male?

l Should GB Olympic 4 x 100 metre relay teams only have one BAME member?

Selection for employment should always be based on ability and suitability.

Positive discrimination is as bad as any perceived inherent discrimination.

In time, a fairer society is achievable but application of such quotas will only have a negative effect.

JAMES WEEDON

Haltwhistle