HL Deb 14 November 1996 vol 575 c111WA
Lord Stoddart of Swindon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will now set up a Men's National Commission and, if not, why not.

The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Lord Henley)

No. Unlike women, men are not under-represented in places where decisions are taken.

Lord Stoddart of Swindon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in the light of changing employment patterns and the need to ensure that equal opportunities for men are not being overlooked, they will reconsider their refusal to reconstitute the Equal Opportunities Commission to achieve equality of representation of both sexes on the Commission instead of the existing imbalance of 10 women and three men.

Lord Henley

We note that the Equal Opportunities Commission's reports make quite clear that it pays full regard to equality of opportunity for both sexes. Appointments to the commission will continue to be made on the basis of individual merit alone and not on the basis of any artificial gender balance.