§ 61. Mr. Simon Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what impact he estimates the appointment of a women's health specialist at his Department will have on project work on women and development.
§ Mr. Chris PattenWe believe that the appointment of a new nursing and health services adviser, with particular interest in women's health matters, should further strengthen our capacity to improve the health and wellbeing of women.
§ Mr. HughesBearing in mind the Minister's comments when he opened the Overseas Development Administration conference on 2 December, does the appointment of a women's health adviser signify a change of policy within his Department? Can we look forward to much-needed women's educational, economic and agricultural advisers in the near future?
§ Mr. PattenNo, the appointment does not represent a change of policy. It represents the reaffirmation of an existing, sensible policy.
§ Mr. SquireDoes my hon. Friend accept that all development policies, by definition, affect women? Will his Department continue to consider the impact of such policies on women, without forming separate women's units within the Department?
§ Mr. PattenI totally agree with my hon. Friend. I am against tokenism.
§ Mr. MaddenDid the Minister see the article by Mr. Davie in The Observer yesterday? If so, what were his reactions, particularly to the suggestion that more positive help should be given to men and women in the Third world to resolve their problems rather than Western agencies imposing solutions upon them?
§ Mr. PattenI did not read that meaning into the article, but I was impressed by the article, as I am with most of Mr. Davie's articles. I took from the article the important role of non-governmental organisations in the development effort. I am delighted to say that we have spent a considerable extra amount on the joint funding scheme with non-governmental organisations and we intend to increase further the amount that we spend on that scheme in the coming years.