§ Kali MountfordTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many non-departmental public bodies were in existence on 1 April; what percentage of appointments to these bodies were(a) women and (b) members of ethnic minorities; and when the annual list of such bodies will be published. [21504]
79W
§ Dr. David ClarkThese figures are set out in the Cabinet Office (OPS) booklet "Public Bodies 1997", which is published today. Copies have been placed in the Library. On 1 April 1997 there were 1,128 non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) in existence. As of 1 September 1997, 32 per cent. of the appointments to bodies listed in "Public Bodies" were held by women, an increase of 1 per cent. over the previous year; and 3.6 per cent. were held by members of the ethnic minorities, an increase of 0.3 per cent. over the previous year.
This Government are determined to keep the number of NDPBs to a minimum and Ministers are taking a personal look at the need for each NDPB they sponsor. The Government are also taking action to increase the number of women and members of ethnic minorities represented on the boards of such bodies.