§ Ms. Richardsonasked the Attorney-General what are the main needs of women in the policy areas within the sphere of his Department's activity; what is being done to identify and quantify these needs and to monitor implementation; what consultation is carried out with 276W women to ensure their views are adequately represented; and what training is given to staff to raise their appreciation of the needs of women.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe policies of the Lord Chancellor's Department are designed to meet the needs of men and women equally. The Department contributed to the "Review of the Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women" published by the Home Office on 29 April, a copy of which was placed in the Library, and especially to the section on Matrimonial and Family law. The only change since the review was drafted is that the Family Law Reform Bill mentioned in that section received the Royal Assent on 15 May. The Lord Chancellor and his officials consult regularly organisations with an interest in the work of the Department and are happy to hear from any organisation representing women. Equal opportunities, including those for women are discussed on management and other staff training courses including the panel interview arid selection interviewing courses.
My own Department, the Law Officers' Department, has no policy making functions.