§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Minister for the Civil Service if he keeps a list of 320W possible nominees for public bodies and committees to which he is entitled to nominate; how many names are now before him; and how many of them are women.
§ Mr. Charles R. Morris:In making public appointments Ministers need to secure the services of the people best fitted for the job in question. As one aid to this the CSD lists the names of men and women recommended as having qualifications and experience which would equip them for such appointments. These names are made available to other Departments as particular vacancies arise, and on these occasions the aim is to include as large a proportion of women as is practicable. The proportion is not determined by the number of women's names on this central list, which is in any case constantly being updated and revised. It is always useful, therefore, to hear about individuals who have a contribution to make and are willing to serve.