§ Jackie BallardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many and what percentage of the (i) paid and (ii) unpaid appointments which he has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [39406]
§ Mr. Tony LloydMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has made or approved 2 paid and 11 unpaid appointments of women to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997. These appointments account for 50% and 58% respectively of the total made in the same period. We are committed to increasing the representation of women in public life. In support of this, we are currently drawing up an action plan for increasing the number of women and ethnic minorities holding public appointments.