HL Deb 28 January 2004 vol 656 cc50-1WA
Lord Ouseley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will take any action to introduce legislative measures or any other initiatives to encourage the appointment of more women as non-executive directors to the boards of FTSE 100 top companies. [HL688]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)

In 2003, my right honourable friends the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Chancellor of the Exchequer commissioned Derek Higgs to report on how the quality, independence, and effectiveness of non-executive directors might be strengthened. Following the recommendations of this review, my right honourable friend asked Dean Tyson from the London Business School to examine how companies might recruit directors from more diverse backgrounds in order to improve board effectiveness. Both these reports made a number of proposals which boards must consider how to apply in practice.

The Tyson report also made recommendations about director training and the measurement of board diversity. These are being pursued by government and business organisations.

In addition, since November, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and my right honourable friend the Minister for Industry and the Regions have been meeting chairs, chief executives and senior figures from business to raise awareness about the business case for greater diversity on UK boards and to gather examples of good practice already in place, which we plan to disseminate further, by means of a resources pack for companies.