HC Deb 11 May 1998 vol 312 c4W
Mr. Öpik

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many and what proportion of his Department's appointees to non-departmental public bodies are (i) aged under 25, (ii) aged 25 to 30 and (iii) aged 31 to 35 years. [40742]

Dr. Howells

The number of appointees to Non-Departmental Public Bodies sponsored by this Department, within the specified age ranges, is as follows:

  1. (i) aged under 25—nil;
  2. (ii) aged 24 to 30—nil;
  3. (iii) aged 31 to 35—one.

This one appointee under 35 years of age, represents 0.6% of the 160 current appointees.

The Government are committed to encouraging a wide range of candidates to apply for positions on the boards of public bodies, reflecting the diverse society in which we live. This includes encouraging more young people to put themselves forward as potential candidates for public appointments. All appointments are made on merit, and candidates must demonstrate that they have the necessary skills and experience to match the needs of the public body on which they wish to serve.