HC Deb 04 April 1984 vol 57 cc577-8W
Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government intend to publish their response to the United Nations questionnaire of August 1983 for the world conference to review and appraise the achievements of the United Nations decade for women, equality, development and peace, 1976 to 1985.

Mr. Whitney

We do not believe that the cost of publishing this bulky and essentially factual document would be justified, but I am arranging for a copy of the questionnaire and of our answer to be placed in the Library of the House. Copies are also held by the Women's National Commission, where they may be consulted by interested non-governmental organisations.

Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations took place with interested non-governmental organisations

Mr. Whitney

A list of scientific posts in British missions overseas is as follows. Some scientific attaches occupying Diplomatic Service posts are on loan from other Government Departments. The British Council also employs scientific officers in its own overseas offices.

prior to the Government's completion of the United Nations questionnaire to review and appraise the achievements of the United Nations decade for women.

Mr. Whitney

The information sought by the United Nations was essentially factual and it was not necessary to consult non-governmental organisations. We are consulting women's NGOs on other aspects of our preparations for the final conference of the women's decade in 1985.

Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what preparations the Government are making to ensure consultation with interested non-governmental organisations to help in their preparations for the 1985 world conference in Nairobi to review and appraise the achievements of the United Nations decade for women.

Mr. Whitney

At a meeting held in October 1982, convened by the United Kingdom representative to the commission on the status of women, interested nongovernmental organisations decided to set up 13 working groups to study questions of particular interest to them and produce reports for consideration by the Government in its preparations for the 1985 conference. The women's national commission will arrange for these reports to be forwarded to the responsible Government Departments, and together with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has provided facilities and some financial help to a total value of £15,000 to assist the non-governmental organisations in this work.