§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women in the national health service have agreed to their names being put on a confidential list to be used by her Department to assist NHS managers in a drive to get more women into top positions; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyA total of 973 women have requested that their names be placed on the NHS women's national career development register.
This programme is an innovation, not just for the NHS but for other public and private sector employers. In this respect the NHS is leading the field in women's 394W employment and development by providing a programme of positive action and career development at this level of the organisation.