HC Deb 18 June 1975 vol 893 cc1574-9

12.15 a.m.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

I beg to move Amendment No. 56, in page 28, line 34, at end insert 'and (d) to keep under review the number of women who are appointed to the Boards of public bodies and corporations; to certain committees; and to certain panels and tribunals as listed in paragraph 16 of Schedule 3 to this Act; and to report and make recommendations to the Secretary of State accordingly'.

Mr Deputy Speaker

With this it will be convenient to take Amendment No. 88, in Schedule 3, page 64, line 13, at end insert—

'16. The bodies referred to in section 47(1)(d) of this Act are as follows:—

A Development Council established under the Industrial Organisation and Development Act 1947.

A Medical Appeal Tribunal constituted for the purposes of Part III of the Social Security Act 1975 or Part III of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Act 1975, including any panel constituted for the purposes of any such Tribunal.

A Medical Board or Pneumoconiosis Medical Board constituted for the purposes of Part III of the Social Security Act 1975 or Part III of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Act 1975, including any panel constituted for the purposes of any such Board.

A Medical Practices Committee constituted under section 34 of the National Health Service Act 1946 or section 35 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1947.

The Medicines Commission and any committee established under section 4 of the Medicines Act 1968.

A Mental Health Review Tribunal constituted under the Mental Health Act 1959.

The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland.

A Panel of Chairmen of Re-instatement Committees constituted under section 41 of the National Service Act 1948.

The Panel of Official Arbitrators constituted for the purposes of the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act 1919.

The Parole Board constituted under section 59 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967.

A Pensions Appeal Tribunal.

The Performing Right Tribunal.

A Planning Inquiry Commission constituted under Part III of the Town and Country Planning Act 1971.

A Planning Inquiry Commission constituted under Part III of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972.

The Property Commission for Scotland established under section 224 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

The Race Relations Board and any conciliation committee constituted by the Board under section 14 of the Race Relations Act 1968.

The Staff Commission established under section 85(5) of the London Government Act 1963.

The Staff Commission for England established under section 257 of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Staff Commission for Scotland established tinder section 218 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

The Staff Commission for Wales established under section 258 of the Local Government Act 1972.

The White Fish Authority constituted in accordance with section 1 of the Sea Fish Industry Act 1970, and the committee constituted in accordance with section 2 of that Act'.

Mr. Gilmour

The amendment seeks to provide that the Equal Opportunities Commission should keep under review the number of women who are on public boards. Command 5609 lists members of nationalised industry boards, and on my calculation there are 296 men and seven women. That may not be a precise figure, but it is near enough. That seems to be a totally wrong proportion, and I hope that within a reasonable period of time the commission will be able to improve the situation.

Dr. Summerskill

The Government fully accept that women are under-represented on public bodies of the kind mentioned in the amendment. I made this clear when speaking on the Balance of Sexes Bill presented by my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, North (Mrs. Colquhoun). We are taking various steps to remedy this deficiency throughout Government Departments. When vacancies occur the Government are considering suitable women to fill them. Procedures have been developed by the Civil Service Department and The Women's National Commission to secure the nomination of more women for appointment to public bodies. We seek to ensure that women will increasingly participate in all areas of public life.

I personally would welcome that commission looking at the question of public appointments. Indeed, the commission can do so, if it wishes, under the terms of the Bill as it stands. No doubt the commission will bear in mind tonight's discussions. But we have some reservations about adding to the list of specific tasks placed on the Equal Opportunities Commission in the Bill itself, except where this is essential—as in Government Amendments Nos. 58 and 59 dealing with the protective legislation. The commission has a number of important tasks to undertake under the legislation. On the whole we prefer to leave it to arrange its priorities as it thinks desirable and to give it maximum flexibility, bearing in mind that it is a body that is independent of the Government.

Amendment negatived.

Miss Richardson

I beg to move Amendment No. 57, in page 28, line 34, at end insert: '(d) to review existing and proposed legislation, with a view to eliminating discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity between men and women and, when so required by the Secretary of State or otherwise think it necessary, to draw up and submit to the Secretary of State proposals for amending such legislation'. My suggested paragraph places certain duties on the Equal Opportunities Commission I appreciate that there is nothing to stop the commission from looking at any legislation it likes under the general powers to promote equality of opportunity The aim of this amendment is to keep in the forefront of the commission's mind the fact that it is expected to consider legislation which does not seem to be directly affected by the Bill It is the commission's duty to watch ensuing legislation, especially that concerned with social security, national insurance, the Inland Revenue, immigration laws and proposed amendments of the law

It is important that the commission should be seen to be playing such a rôle. Organisations such as the Child Poverty Action Group and the National Council of Civil Liberties have played an important part in pointing out over a long period where discrimination exists. It throws up evidence of discrimination. Their surveillance has always been warmly applauded, at least by me. How much better it would be if the Equal Opportunities Commission had the duty to play such a rôle officially as a Government agency.

There has been a lot of criticism of this Bill in general centred around vital areas of social policy, about which it is said by very many women's rights organisations that nothing fundamental has been done. This amendment does not in any way restrict the powers and duties of the Equal Opportunities Commission. It simply spells out one important aspect of its job, and I hope the Government will consider taking it on board.

Dr. Summerskill

I can say to my hon. Friend what I said concerning the last amendment—that there is nothing to prevent the Equal Opportunities Commission from looking at her suggestion, in this case the review of existing and proposed legislation in any sphere, including the subjects she herself listed, with a view to eliminating discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity, and from making whatever proposals it thinks fit. I am sure that the EOC will take note of my hon. Friend's suggestions, but the Government do not want to impose on the commission too many statutory provisions, hence the wide-ranging nature of the general duties contained in Clause 47. But there is nothing in my hon. Friend's amendment that cannot be covered by the commission, and I think it is right that we should leave it to it, a body independent of Government, to settle its own priorities.

Amendment negatived.

Forward to