§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the remit is of the Women's National Commission; how many staff it has; what its total costs were in each year from 1996–97 to 2003–04 (planned); and if he will make a statement. [99899]
§ Ms HewittI have been asked to reply.
The remit of the Women's National Commission is to make known to Government, by all possible means, the informed opinion of women. It is able to comment freely on government policy and inform government departments of the views of women, women's organisations and NGOs.
Currently, the WNC has a total of 10 staff. These include three permanent members of staff, one on secondment until June 2004; five temporary members of staff, all of whom will leave during the year, plus one unpaid internship.
The budgets for the financial years specified were:
Year £ 1996–97 243,342 1997–98 233,300 1998–99 299,895 1999–2000 250,025 2000–01 250,025 2001–02 303,000 2002–03 253,243 For the financial year 2003–04, the budget figures are yet to be confirmed by DTI.