§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer given by Lord Henley on 14th November (WA 111), what criteria are used to 77WA decide merit in appointments to the Equal Opportunities Commission, how many candidates of each sex are considered and who nominates them; and whether they are content that only 3 of the 13 Commissioners are men.
§ The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Lord Henley)The qualities and experience required were set out in the recent newspaper advertisements inviting suitably qualified individuals to apply for appointment as Commissioners. They include experience of committees, independent and strategic thinking, team working, interpersonal and communication skills, political acumen, sensitivity and sound judgment, representational work and public speaking, and understanding of and commitment to equality issues. We consider all applications and are content for the gender balance of the Commission to result from appointments made on the basis of individual merit.
§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the use in a recent publication by the Equal Opportunities Commission of figures obtained in 1986 to indicate the percentages of women in various professions could be misleading and, if so, whether the Commission should be required to use more recent statistics.
§ Lord HenleyI believe the noble Lord is referring toThe Sex Discrimination Act and Advertising, I understand that this publication by the Equal Opportunities Commission has been in print for nearly 10 years, and contains the figures which were then current. Within its financial constraints, the commission has a programme to update its publications as appropriate. Although I believe the publication in question will be updated soon, the commission is independent and it is not for the Government to impose requirements about commission publications.