§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer by Lord Whitty on 22 June (H.L. Deb., col. 6) that the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) consists of men and women "in roughly equal proportions", whether there are currently nine women and four men members of the EOC; and whether they intend to ensure a better gender balance for the future. [HL2772]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)Following his 22 June Answer, my noble friend wrote to the noble Lord to provide him with a more detailed answer to the Question he raised. There are currently four men and eight women commissioners of the Equal Opportunities Commission. An open recruitment exercise is under way to fill vacant commissioner posts. We shall continue to make appointments to the commission on merit.