§ 15. Ms Julie MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to increase the representation of women on public bodies in Wales. [28413]
§ Mr. Ron DaviesI am very anxious to increase the representation of women on public bodies in Wales.
My Department is developing a programme with representative organisations to increase the pool of good candidates from a variety of backgrounds, making the public appointments process more accessible; making criteria more explicit and laying them open to comment; making sure that independent assessors also reflect diversity; and giving applicants more feedback and constructive suggestions about routes into public life.
As part of this programme, the Department has at my request developed proposals for two exciting and innovative pilot projects which will be put into action in consultation with Welsh women MPs, local MPs and other interested organisations. I will announce further details of these projects shortly.