§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what is the proportion of women members on the committees of each of the Government-funded research councils;
(2) if she will give details of any action being taken to promote the representation of women on the committees of 289W Government-funded research councils; and if she will make a statement about her future policy on this issue.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe information for committees for boards and committees of the research councils is as follows:
Agricultural Research Council (including committees of the Joint Consultative Organisation)—4 in 395.
Medical Research Council—2 in 128.
Natural Environment Research Council—3 in 112.
Science Research Council—5 in 420.
Social Science Research Council—10 in 190.
The overriding criterion for appointments must be scientific or other relevant expertise or experience but, subject to that, I regard it as essential that there should be proper representation of women. I always consider whether there are women with the required high qualifications when I make appointments to the councils. The councils have been asked to do the same when they make appointments to their boards and committees and I shall repeat this request. I hope that the proportions shown above will improve as the number of experienced and outstanding women scientists increases.