§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will detail for each of the regional water authorities the number of men and the number of women employed, respectively ; and whether the ratio reflects his criteria of qualification and suitability in view of the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to sex discrimination.
§ Mr. RipponI have listed below the number of men and women members so far appointed to the nine regional water authorities, distinguishing between those appointed by Her Majesty's Government and those appointed by local authorities :
Regional Water Authority Men Women NORTHUMBRIAN Her Majesty's Government 7 1 Local authorities 7 1 SEVERN TRENT Her Majesty's Government 14 2 Local authorities 19 1 THAMES Her Majesty's Government 14 2 Local authorities 36 1 SOUTH WEST Her Majesty's Government 5 1 Local authorities 8 — NORTH WEST Her Majesty's Government 12 — Local authorities 14 — YORKSHIRE Her Majesty's Government 11 — Local authorities 9 — ANGLIAN Her Majesty's Government 16 — Local authorities 17 — SOUTHERN Her Majesty's Government 8 — Local authorities 10 — WESSEX Her Majesty's Government. 6 — Local authorities 8 — The members appointed by Her Majesty's Government were chosen on the basis of their knowledge and experience of water and related services.