§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the reasons for his Department's failure in 1994–95 to achieve its target of total staff who are women at higher executive officer level; for what reasons the target has been reduced; and if he will make a statement. [23262]
§ Mr. Arbuthnot[holding answer 28 March 1996]: The Department's 1994–95 target for women at HEO level and above was set at 13.6 per cent. A percentage of 13.3 per cent. was achieved, matching the achievement in 1993–94. In retrospect, the target for 1994–95 was too optimistic, given the extent of organisational change at the 44W time. More realistic target setting, taking better account of major reorganisations and redeployments, overall reductions in staff numbers and promotion trends, caused the target to be set at 13.4 per cent for 1995–96.