HC Deb 03 May 1995 vol 259 cc213-4W
Ms Eagle

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made within his Department on equal opportunities matters. [21466]

Mr. Norris

The Department of Transport has been actively pursuing the civil service programmes for action on race, women and disability, and was one of the first Departments to produce a joint action plan covering all three areas.

Particular emphasis has been given to developing training and complaints procedures and to making it easier for disabled people and for women with family commitments to work in the Department.

Ms Eagle

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress he hopes to achieve in his Department over the next three months to push forward the declaration signed in October 1994 at the Vienna conference in preparation for the fourth UN conference on women; and if he will agree to incorporate a section on equal opportunities in his Department's annual report. [21468]

Mr. Norris

The Government are committed to the principles set out in the regional platform for action agreed at the preparatory conference in Vienna for the fourth UN world conference on women. DOT has taken these forward through a wide range of programmes and initiatives and will continue to do so. In accordance with the terms of the Command Paper, "The Civil Service-Taking Forward Continuity and Change", the Department will publish information on equal opportunities in annual reports from 1995–96.

Ms Eagle

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which Minister in his Department has responsibility for equal opportunities issues. [21465]

Mr. Norris

I have overall responsibility for equal opportunities issues within the Department of Transport.

Ms Eagle

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the gender assessment being prepared by his Department. [21467]

Mr. Norris

Department of Transport policy, in line with guidelines issued in 1992 by the ministerial group on women's issues, is that policy proposals should ensure that unlawful or unjustifiable sex or race discrimination does not occur and that similar principles apply to people with disabilities, older people or ex-offenders. This scrutiny is part of a continuous and routine process, as part of policy advice to Ministers.

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