§ Mr. LeightonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what mechanisms his Department has to deal with services and policies on child care and family services.
§ Mr. John PattenA ministerial group on women's issues was established in 1986 under Home Office chairmanship to co-ordinate policy issues of special concern to women. The group meets regularly and has focused in particular on child care and domestic violence in the last 12 months.
Home Office Ministers and officials also maintain regular contacts with the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Women's National Commission and with many voluntary organisations and groups.
In addition there are staff in the Home Office establishment department responsible for equal opportunities for women, and the Department's equal opportunities officers play their part in Cabinet Office-led activities designed to promote equal opportunities in the civil service.