§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) women and (b) men have been appointed to public bodies in the past year; and to which public bodies (i) women and (ii) men have been appointed. [32495]
§ Mr. HagueThis information is contained in "Appointments by the Secretary of State for Wales, 1 June 1996", copies of which are available in the Library of the House.
82W
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many women(a) applied to be on the public appointments register and (b) were placed on the public appointments register, in each year since 1993–94; [32491]
(2) what assessment he has made of the success of his Department's campaign, Diary 1995–96, to persuade more women to apply for inclusion on the public appointments register; [32493]
(3) what measures he intends to take to increase the participation of women on public bodies; and if he will make a statement; [32494]
(4) what assessment he has made of the success of the 1995–96 campaign of the NHS Opportunity 2000 unit to persuade more women to apply for inclusion on the public appointments register. [32492]
§ Mr. HagueThe Welsh Office has taken a number of steps, including involvement in the NHS Opportunity 2000 campaign, to encourage more women to volunteer for public appointment.
The number of women on the register has increased from 470 in April 1993–749 in April 1994 and 983 in April 1995—to 1,068 in April 1996. The percentage of appointments made by the Secretary of State held by women has risen from 18 per cent. in 1990 to 24 per cent. as at 1 June 1996.
The Welsh Office is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all candidates; all candidates are considered on their merits and suitability for a particular post. We will continue to encourage women to volunteer for public appointment.