HC Deb 13 March 2002 vol 381 cc879-80
9. Ms Meg Munn (Sheffield, Heeley)

If he will make a statement on the Cabinet Office consultation document "Women and Public Service". [40126]

The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Mrs. Barbara Roche)

The report "Better Services—Better Working Lives" was published on 10 December. It reported on women's experience of education and health services and the reforms being introduced by the Government.

Ms Munn

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer.

Given the number of women who work in public services, what percentage of women would my hon. Friend like to see in senior management and what suggestions does she have for achieving it?

Mrs. Roche

I should like to see the number of women in such positions to be 50:50—as we are in the population. Some progress is being made but we need to do much more. That is why we are holding a seminar on women taking up public appointments. It is also important that, through the election of women Members of Parliament, the House should reflect women in the country far more than it does already.