asked the Minister for Justice the number of women who have been appointed to State boards or other such bodies directly under his control since he took office; and the percentage of the total such appointments this represents, as well as the total number of men appointed.

The number of women who have been appointed to State boards or other such bodies directly under my control since I took office is one. This represents 3.4 per cent of the total of such appointments as the number of men who have been appointed is 28.

55.

asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he has taken any measures since taking office to advance the position of women within his area of responsibility for example the appointment of women to State boards or commissions under his control, or any other affirmative actions.

As regards appointments to the boards of State bodies or commissions under my aegis, my policy is to endeavour to have the best qualified persons — men and women — appointed to those boards. The Tourism Task Force, set up earlier this year to make recommendations to the Government, included two women members, one of whom was appointed chairperson. I also ensured that there was no reduction in the number of women (two) on the board of the B & I Line, when a number of appointments to that board fell to be made in 1987.

56.

asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the number of women who have been appointed to State boards or other such bodies directly under his control since he took office; and the percentage of the total such appointments this represents, as well as the total number of men appointed.

The information requested is as follows: