Business of the House

My hon. Friend makes an important point. It is important for public bodies to have people who have been selected on merit, from the widest pool, with the broadest range of experience, to ensure that they can make the right decisions and give the right advice to Government and agencies. It is also an important role for people to choose before they step forward further into public life and enter the House. We have discussed with the Commissioner for Public Appointments a strengthening of her remit. That will be in the equality Bill, with the purpose of providing a more specific focus on ensuring diversity in public appointments. The real missing voice in local councils is that of Asian women. There are something like 145 Asian women councillors; but to be representative in local government, there should be 1,000. We have set up an all-party taskforce under Baroness Pola Uddin and when she has concluded her work, we will report back to the House. I thank my hon. Friend for her comments on the Speaker’s Conference, and pay tribute to you, Mr. Speaker, for taking up this very important initiative. I believe that it will be an historic contribution of your Speakership.