asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take steps to appoint a woman on each of the panels forming the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal?

The members of the panels of the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal are appointed by my right horn Friend the Minister of Labour. While I will take note of my hon. Friend's suggestion in so far as it relates to the panel of persons representing me, I must emphasise the need for any such panel to consist of the most suitable persons for the task and I cannot be committed to any particular basis of choice. The composition of the panel of persons representing the Staff Side of the National Whitley Council is not a matter for me.