§ Mrs. Angela KnightTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what further progress has been made in appointing more women and black and Asian people as member of public bodies.
Mr. Robert G. HughesI am pleased to announce a further rise in the number of women and black and Asian people holding appointments. At 1 September 1994, the proportion of public appointments held by women was 30 per cent. compared with 28 per cent. in 1993. The percentage of black and Asian appointees has increased from 2.3 per cent. to 2.6 per cent. over the same period. 701W Full details will be published shortly in the 1994 edition of "Public Bodies".
These two increases show that the Government have been able actively to pursue their policy of appointing more women and members of the ethnic minorities while at the same time ensuring that appointments are made on the basis of aptitude and merit.