House of Lords: Gender Equality Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Cabinet Office

House of Lords: Gender Equality

Lord Grocott Excerpts
Thursday 6th June 2019

(5 years, 5 months ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord Young of Cookham Portrait Lord Young of Cookham
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

The Bill introduced by the noble Lord, Lord Grocott, has had more time than any other Private Member’s Bill this Session, and many of us have spent enjoyable Fridays making progress on it. It is open to the noble Lord, if his appetite is unquenched, to ask my noble friend the Chief Whip for yet more time to progress with his Bill. I know that the current chair of HOLAC, the noble Lord, Lord Bew, takes this matter seriously. Since 2012, HOLAC has appointed seven women and five men.

Lord Grocott Portrait Lord Grocott (Lab)
- Hansard - -

My Lords—

--- Later in debate ---
Lord Young of Cookham Portrait Lord Young of Cookham
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, yesterday I read the recently published UK Gender-Sensitive Parliament Audit 2018, which made the point that the noble Baroness has just made. The number of applications that HOLAC receives from men far exceeds the number from women. I agree that there is a role for all of us in driving up the number of applications from women. Perhaps I could write to her on her question about the percentage of senior appointments.

Lord Grocott Portrait Lord Grocott
- Hansard - -

I am greatly encouraged by the Minister’s suggestion that I ask the Government Chief Whip, the noble Lord, Lord Taylor, for more time. I therefore ask him for more time.

Lord Young of Cookham Portrait Lord Young of Cookham
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I may be in some trouble with my noble friend but that was actually in my brief.