§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's Government intend to decide whether or not to ratify the United Nations convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.
§ Mr. WhitneyWe hope to announce a decision before long.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the cost to date to Her Majesty's Government of considering whether or not to ratify the United Nations convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.
§ Mr. WhitneyA number of staff in various Government Departments have taken part from time to time in our work on this convention. No detailed records are kept. It is therefore not possible to make an accurate estimate of the staff costs attributable to this work.
§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the aims of the United Nations convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women; and which of these aims are not met in existing legislation.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe aims of this convention are set out in its preamble and its first 16 articles. We are still engaged in the work of comparing these provisions with our existing legislation.