HC Deb 28 February 1994 vol 238 cc619-20W
Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of public appointments made by his Department in 1993 were of women; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hague

For the year ended 31 August 1993, 47 per cent. of all new appointees were women.

In support of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's public appointments initiative, this Department set a goal for 40 per cent. of new appointees to public bodies to be women. This goal has been exceeded, increasing the overall percentage of women holding public appointments from 27 per cent. in 1991 to 32.5 per cent. in 1993.