§ 13. Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Employment what comparisons he has made with other members of the European Community with regard to the progress towards equal pay for women.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkAll member states of the European Community are required by article 119 of the Treaty of Rome and the equal pay directive to provide equal pay for men and women doing equal work.
§ Mr. FreudWhen does the Minister intend to amend the Equal Pay Act so that women in this country have a primary right to receive equal pay for work of equal value?
§ Mr. ClarkI do not know where the hon. Gentleman has been for the past two years. We have complied with the ruling of the European Court of Justice and introduced those provisions by an order which makes that a requirement on employers. If an employee feels that an employer is not complying with the provisions, we have set up tribunal machinery to ensure compliance with the European Court of Justice ruling.