§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware that of the English new town appointments made between 18th June, 1970, and 18th February, 1972, all chairmen are men, and that there are only five women among the 27 appointments; and if he will state the basis on which appointments are made.
§ Mr. AmeryThe appointment of members of English new town boards is governed by the provisions of the New Towns Act, 1965. Within those provisions, my right hon, Friend looks for teams combining ability with an appropriate blend of special knowledge and experience.
At present there is one woman chairman of an English new town board and one woman deputy chairman; the deputy chairman of the Commission for the New Towns is a woman.