§ Q7. Dame Irene Wardasked the Prime Minister what representations he 1268 has received concerning changes in the legal status of women; and what replies he has sent.
§ The Prime MinisterI have received a number of letters over the past year on a variety of matters relating to the legal status of women, and appropriate replies have been sent.
§ Dame Irene WardMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will put the replies in HANSARD? Will he also suggest to the Chancellor of the Exchequer that it would be possible to have an alteration in taxation to give women equal rights with men? Perhaps this could be done in the coming Budget?
§ The Prime MinisterI congratulate the hon. Lady on choosing Lady Day for her Question. It is also highly topical in that two important reports have been published in the last 24 hours as a result of various study groups on the legal status of women, and so on.
On the question of taxation, I obviously could not anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement. On the legal questions which were, for example, referred to in the Conservative document, some important issues were raised. Most of these have already been referred to the Law Commission, but certainly they will be studied.
§ Mrs. EwingUntil the time when Parliament has the courage to legislate against discrimination on grounds of colour and religion, does not the Prime Minister agree that this Parliamentary Session is the best of all possible times to legislate against discrimination on grounds of sex?
§ The Prime MinisterVarious Bills have been produced for this purpose. I have said that we are studying the issues involved, and I think the House will want me and all concerned to study the two important documents which were published yesterday.
§ Mr. HeathIn this connection, what action have the Government taken to implement the recommendations of the Payne Committee?
§ The Prime MinisterI require notice of that question.