§ 36. Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Minister what representations she is making to ensure the involvement of women in proposed elected regional assemblies. [66410]
§ Ms HewittThe Sex Discrimination (Election Candidates) Act 2002 allows political parties to use positive measures, in certain circumstances, when selecting candidates to stand for existing UK elections.
We are keen for political parties to make full use of this legislation, and I will continue to press for them to do so. We stated in the regional government white paper, 'Your Region, Your Choice: Revitalising the English Regions', that we propose to apply the provisions of the Act to elections for regional assemblies.