asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that 22 men and one woman serve as members of the Home Grown Cereals Authority; whether he intends that women should be given an equal opportunity to serve when new appointments are made; and what action he proposes.

In fact all 23 members of the Home Grown Cereals Authority are male. However, the Government's policy in selecting people for public appointments is to choose the man or woman best qualified for the appointment irrespective of any other consideration. My right hon. Friends and I will continue to implement this policy in making appointments to the authority.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he is aware that seven men and no women serve as members of Covent Garden Market Authority; whether he intends that women should be given an equal opportunity to serve when new appointments are made; and what action he proposes.

The Government's policy in selecting people for public appointments is to choose the man or woman best qualified for the appointment, irrespective of any other consideration. I shall continue to implement this policy in making appointments to the Covent Garden Market Authority.