HC Deb 14 February 2002 vol 380 c535W
33. Mr. Anthony D. Wright

To ask the Minister what steps she is taking to promote best practice in industry on equal pay. [33828]

Ms Hewitt

The Government have taken a number of steps already. As well as a questionnaire procedure for use in equal pay cases and other provisions in the Employment Bill, the Fair Pay Champions and the Castle Awards, created by my predecessor, are helping to spread good practice on equal pay. We are also taking forward recommendations from the Kingsmill report aimed at further reducing the pay gap. I have written to my Cabinet colleagues' union and will soon be writing to FTSE 100 companies, to gather examples of their good working practices, so that we can help spread these more widely.