asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he keeps a list of possible nominees for public bodies and committees to which he is entitled to nominate; how many names are now before him; and how many of them are women.

In making public appointments it is necessary to secure people best fitted for the jobs in question. We are always pleased to hear of individual names with appropriate qualifications and experience. These requirements are being constantly updated, with the result that there is no settled total at any one time.