§ Jackie BallardTo ask the Prime Minister how many and what percentage of the (i) paid and (ii) unpaid appointments which he has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [39402]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 29 April 1998]: Since 1 May 1997, I have appointed or re-appointed 62 men and 24 women to serve on the boards of non-departmental public bodies. Of these, 22 men (81 per cent.) and 5 women (19 per cent.) have been appointed to paid posts and 40 men (68 per cent.) and 19 women (32 per cent.) have been appointed to unpaid posts. The Figures given in this answer include all appointments and re-appointments directly within my gift, made by officials and Ministers on my behalf, and made by Her Majesty The Queen on my advice.
The Government are committed to increasing the representation of women in public life. In support of this, all Departments are currently drawing up action plans for increasing the number of women and ethnic minorities holding public appointments.