§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many appointments to public bodies were made by her Department in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99, broken down by (i) gender and (ii) ethnicity; and if he will list the chairmen appointed to those bodies in those years, similarly broken down. [92523]
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§ Clare ShortAppointments made by my Department to Public Bodies for the years 1997–98 and 1998–99 are as follows:
Year Total White Ethnic minority Male Female 1 June 1997 to 31 May 1998 41 35 6 23 13 1 June 1998 to 31 May 1999 15 15 0 9 6 Information on the ethnic origin of Chairmen appointed to public bodies in the periods requested cannot be provided as the small numbers involved could lead to the identification of individuals without their consent.
I would also like to refer my hon. Friend to my Departmental Plan on Equal Opportunities published by the Government on 25 May 1999 and deposited in the Libraries of both Houses. The plan sets objectives and targets for improving representation of women, people from ethnic minority groups and people with disabilities.