§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to ensure that all lists of candidates for public appointments in Scotland contain equal numbers of men and women.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 9 June 1992]: All public appointments must be made on the basis of aptitude and merit. It is, however, Government policy to ensure that the names of women are included on the shortlist of candidates for public appointments prepared for Ministers' consideration. Good reasons must be given for the absence of women's names.
§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list any public appointments by his Department since 1987 which have involved people from organisations criticised in published reports by Department of Trade and Industry inspectors.
§ Mr. LangInformation on public appointments which is held centrally by my Department is not sufficiently comprehensive to enable me to provide the information requested. However, my Department takes all relevant factors into account when considering public appointments.