Oral Answers to Questions Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Sarah Atherton Excerpts
Wednesday 11th March 2020

(4 years ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
The Minister for Women and Equalities was asked—
Sarah Atherton Portrait Sarah Atherton (Wrexham) (Con)
- Hansard - -

1. What steps she is taking to encourage women to enter (a) politics, (b) the judiciary and (c) other public office.

Elizabeth Truss Portrait The Minister for Women and Equalities (Elizabeth Truss)
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

This House now has 220 women MPs, which is a record. I believe that it is through transparency and meritocracy that we bring more great people into the House. I congratulate my hon. Friend on being one of the first three Welsh female Conservative MPs.

Sarah Atherton Portrait Sarah Atherton
- Hansard - -

Eighty-one per cent. of Wrexham county councillors are male. I am the first female Conservative MP for Wales and one could ask why it has taken so long, although that is for a different debate. Does my right hon. Friend agree that organisations such as Women2Win Wales and the Women’s Equality Network of Cardiff are vital and essential when trying to equalise the gender balance in higher public office?

Elizabeth Truss Portrait Elizabeth Truss
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Anybody who has met Baroness Jenkin will know that she is a force of nature to be reckoned with. She does not just ask women to stand; she tells them to stand—and she has made it happen.