Equality: EC Policies on Women on Corporate Boards

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean Excerpts

Wednesday 17th October 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Stowell of Beeston]

Just to be absolutely clear, while we do not support the quotas or the European legislation, we feel very strongly about this issue. I think that I am right in saying that we have a target of 50% for appointments to public bodies by 2020. If I am wrong I will write to the noble Baroness, but we are definitely ensuring that as much effort is made in that area as it is in the corporate world.

[Lord Forsyth of Drumlean]

My Lords, as two-thirds of the European Commission membership are themselves men, would not the Commission do better to put its own house in order before deciding on other people?

[Baroness Stowell of Beeston]

My Lords, I shall not say anything.