§ Ms. MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are her objectives for the numbers of women to be appointed to public bodies in order to fulfil her percentage targets by 1996; and what number of men will be appointed to public bodies over the same period.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe goal is that by 1996 30 per cent. of the public appointments made by my Department should be held by women. The current objectives to achieve this goal were announced on 16 November in "Public Appointments and Equal Opportunities", which is available in the Library. It is, however, not possible to forecast the numbers of men and of women who will be appointed over this period.
§ Ms MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how she will use greater publicity to interest women in public bodies.
§ Mr. McLoughlinMy right hon. Friend intends to launch a series of regional "opportunity shops" for women in the new year to promote women's participation in all areas of public life. Their aim will be to publicise the whole range of opportunities open to women, including appointments to public bodies, regional and community appointments and voluntary work as well as employment and training.