HC Deb 15 December 1997 vol 303 cc69-70W
29. Ann Keen

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to open up a new dialogue with women. [19086]

Ms Ruddock

We are creating a new bond of trust between women and Government by opening up a new dialogue with women by improving and extending the way in which Government communicates with women's organisations and by looking at ways to conduct a dialogue with women who do not join organisations.

As part of this process, we are reviewing the role and status of the Women's National Commission. The terms of reference of this review is set out in the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Luton, South (Ms Moran) on 10 December 1997, Official Report, column 602.

30. Lorna Fitzsimons

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what contact she has had with women's organisations in Northern Ireland. [19087]

Ms Ruddock

The Ministers for Women represent the interests of all women, throughout the United Kingdom. On 2 December, I visited Northern Ireland to open the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition offices. I also visited the Northern Ireland Equal Opportunities Commission and met with women from the Northern Ireland Women's Forum, and other women's organisations. We have also had correspondence with the Northern Ireland Women's Aid Federation.

38. Dr. Starkey

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to use women's juries to consult on policy priority. [19095]

Ms Ruddock

We seek to create a new bond of trust between women and Government which will enable us to keep in touch with what women want by opening up a new dialogue with women.

We are doing this by improving and extending the way in which Government communicates with women's organisations; and by looking at ways to conduct a dialogue with women who do not join organisations.

We are considering a range of options—including setting up women's juries—to ensure that our new dialogue will be a new, innovative and effective way of communicating with women everywhere.

Ms Keeble

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how she plans to ensure that Government Departments take full account of women's interests. [19069]

Ms Ruddock

We are taking steps to ensure that women's interests are placed at the very heart of government. This means integrating women's concerns and interests into the policy-making process of all Government Departments—a process often called "mainstreaming".

However, we believe that the guidance on "mainstreaming" drawn up by the previous Government should be strengthened. We are therefore working on revised guidance, which will be more accessible and user-friendly.

Once this guidance has been issued, we will be evaluating its effect on a regular basis to ensure that it is properly used. We aim to publish an annual report which will cover how each Department has taken this work forward.