HC Deb 29 October 1990 vol 178 cc380-1W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, before granting supervisory status to any organisation, he will ask it to explain its record on nominating women to major policy-making organisations.

Mr. Redwood

No. While the Government would favour the nomination of more women to major organisations, the record of a supervisory body in this respect is of no relevance to a decision by the Secretary of State on whether to recognise the body under the procedures in part II of the Companies Act 1989.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will take powers to provide that each supervisory body has lay observers on its council.

Mr. Redwood

We have no such plans.