HC Deb 20 June 1974 vol 875 cc653-4
2. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider the publication of a White Paper outlining the manner in which he proposes to deal with the problems of sex discrimination in all its aspects.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Roy Jenkins)

Yes, Sir. I intend to publish a White Paper announcing my proposals for securing equal status for women.

Mr. Hamilton

Will my right hon. Friend give an indication when the White Paper will be published, and will he give an assurance that the proposals outlined in it will be much more ambitious and comprehensive than those in the previous Government's White Paper?

Mr. Jenkins

I am unable to give an absolutely definite time regarding publication, but I would think that it would be within a matter of two months or, at the most, three months, and possibly during the recess. I certainly hope that the proposals will be comprehensive and reasonably ambitious.

Mr. Raphael Tuck

Has my right hon. Friend seen the early-day motion in my name and in the name of some of my hon. Friends? It is an all-party early-day motion. Would my right hon. Friend like to comment on it?

Mr. Jenkins

No, Sir. Perhaps my hon. Friend would care to give some indication of what the early-day motion says.