§ 10. Mrs. Joyce Butlerasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what reply he made to the delegation from the British Federation of University Women asking for the appointment of more women to regional councils.
§ The Minister of State for Economic Affairs (Mr. Austen Albu)The reply was that women who are qualified to contribute to regional planning are equally eligible with men for appointment to regional economic planning councils; but there is no intention to appoint women simply because they are women.
§ Mrs. ButlerIn view of the very strong feelings that these appointments have aroused among women's organisations and the fact that there are very many well-qualified women in the regions who could be serving, can my hon. Friend say what arrangements there may be in future for adding women to these councils?
§ Mr. AlbuWe have asked the bodies whom we consult before making these appointments to consider appointing women, and we have given the names of these bodies to the women's organisations so that they shall know which bodies we consult.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodAlthough the Minister of State knows that we have reservations about the policy, and even the need for his Department, would he be good enough to give our personal good wishes both to the new First Secretary and to the old one?
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. George Brown)Not the old one.