§ Lord Bassam of BrightonI have today publishedDelivering Diversity in Public Appointments 2004, which explains what each central government department is doing to increase diversity on the boards of their public bodies.
100WSThe report contains action plans for each department as well as details of progress to date. It also includes targets to increase the proportion of appointments held by women, people from minority ethnic backgrounds and disabled people to be achieved by 2007.
The Government are keen to ensure that their commitments to public appointments are met. The first is that selection should be made on merit, using fair and open procedures that ensure the best available candidate is appointed to each post.
The second is a commitment to improving diversity in public appointments. There is real value in boards broadly reflecting the community they serve and I firmly believe that more diverse boards lead to more effective decision-making.
Overall progress has been made in the representation of people from minority ethnic backgrounds and disabled people. However, the overall figures for women have dropped slightly, thus emphasising the need to continue to promote our diversity objectives and continue our outreach work.
The report can be found on the Internet at www.publicappointments.gov.uk. Copies of the report have also been placed in the Libraries of the House.