Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Lord McLoughlin Excerpts
Wednesday 27th June 2018

(6 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Oliver Dowden Portrait Oliver Dowden
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The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. Diversity means not just ethnic diversity or gender diversity, but regional diversity. That is why, for example, we recently held an event in Glasgow to encourage people in Scotland to apply for public appointments.

Lord McLoughlin Portrait Sir Patrick McLoughlin (Derbyshire Dales) (Con)
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One way in which we could widen public appointments is to limit the amount of them to just two per person, instead of the gravy train that seems to appear as far as public appointments are concerned.

Oliver Dowden Portrait Oliver Dowden
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As ever, my right hon. Friend is absolutely correct, and I take on board his recommendation. Diversity also means ensuring that we do not have the same old faces constantly applying for and succeeding in winning public appointments. That is why, as part of our diversity measures, we are encouraging a wider array of people to apply for public appointments.