§ 36. Dr. Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes, South-West)What progress has been made in increasing the number of women in public appointments. [71406]
§ The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Mr. Douglas Alexander)At 31 March 2001, 34 per cent. of appointments were held by women, compared with 23 per cent. 10 years previously. This Government are committed to increasing diversity in public appointments. Each Government Department has an action plan in support of this aim.
§ Dr. StarkeyI welcome the progress that has been made. Obviously there is considerable room for improvement, however, because women constitute the majority sex in the country and that is not reflected in public appointments. May I suggest that a way forward might be to provide training events for people who would otherwise not consider themselves the sort to apply for public appointments? That would encourage not just women but people from other parts of the community who are also under-represented to understand what it means to be on a public body and to appreciate the skills that they might bring to it so that they are more likely to apply.
§ Mr. AlexanderI could not agree more. Let me point out first that a number of regional seminars have been held to encourage women to apply for public appointments to ensure that there is balanced coverage 174 across the country. In addition, in the coming days the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will host a specific seminar on the opportunities for women from ethnic minorities to participate fully in public bodies. I certainly welcome that initiative, which shows the direction that the whole the policy is taking.