§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the names of the officials appointed to appraise policy on gender equality grounds in each government department. [17271]
§ Ms RuddockOne of the key areas for the Ministers for Women is to ensure that all Government Departments consider the views and needs of women when developing policy. The issue of policy appraisal on gender equality grounds is currently under review.
We do not normally name officials appointed for specific tasks.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what involvement the Minister for Women had in the decision by the Secretary of State for Defence to allow women to fight on the front line. [17270]
§ Ms RuddockMy right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence, responded to the need to ensure equality of treatment for women in the armed forces. I fully support his decision. One of my key priority areas is to ensure that all Government Departments consider the views and needs of women when developing policy.