HC Deb 05 November 1986 vol 103 cc451-2W
Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the non-Governmental organisations he has consulted prior to this week's discussion of the implications of the United Nations forward looking strategies for the advancement of women in the third committee of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York.

Mr. Renton

We are in regular contact with NGOs, particularly through the Women's National Commission and the National Council of Voluntary Organisations, on the implications of the United Nations forward looking strategies for the advancement of women. Their views are taken into account when policy is formulated.

Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to support the call for a special session of the United Nations on women early in 1987; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Renton

At the 31st session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, the United Kingdom joined consensus on a resolution which called for the holding of a special session of the commission in 1987. We also joined consensus on the adoption of the agenda of this session, namely, the implications of the Nairobi forward looking strategies for the advancement of women for programme planning in the United Nations system, monitoring and review and appraisal of the implementation of the forward looking strategies, strengthening the Commission on the Status of Women, and the programme of future work and provisional agenda for the 33rd session of the commission. This resolution and decision were endorsed unanimously by the Economic and Social Council, of which the United Kingdom is a member. We hope the meeting will be able to conclude successfully all the work in its agenda.