§ Mr. Bishopasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications (1) if he is aware that eight men and no women served as members of the Post Office Board according to the List of Members of Public Boards of a Commercial Character as at 1st January, 1971 (Command Paper No. 4611); what changes have taken place since; whether he intends that women should be given an equal opportunity to serve when new appointments are made; and what action he proposes;
(2) if he is aware that 10 men and no women served as members of the Court of Directors of Cable and Wireless Limited according to the List of Members of Public Boards of a Commercial Character as at 1st January, 1971 (Command Paper No. 4611); what changes have taken place since; whether he 89W intends that women should be given an equal opportunity to serve when new appointments are made; and what action he proposes.
§ Mr. ChatawayYes. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Civil Service Department notified the hon. Member on 16th December of the changes that had taken place since 1st January, 1971, and the next issue of the White Paper on Public Boards shortly to be published will show the position on 1st January, 1972. The Government's policy in selecting people for public appointments is to choose the man or woman best qualified for the appointment, irrespective of any other consideration, and I shall continue to implement this policy in making appointments within my field of responsibility.