§ Jackie BallardTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [39400]
§ Mr. MorleyOf the paid appointments made since 1 May 1997, twelve (9.75 per cent.) were women. Ten (17.5 per cent.) of the appointees to unpaid posts were women.
The Government are committed to increasing the representation of women in public life. In support of this, the Department has drawn up an action plan for increasing the number of women and ethnic minorities holding public appointments.