§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on the first year's working of the Sex Discrimination Act; what has been the total costs involved; how this money has been used on wages, salaries, expenses, etc.; what was the number of cases dealt with and the number of successes; what these cost on average per case; and whether, in view of the Government call for economy, he will take steps to reduce the costs of this Act.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesThe Equal Opportunities Commission, which has a statutory duty to keep under review the working of the Sex Discrimination Act, will shortly be publishing its first annual report, which will cover these matters. I shall arrange for a copy to be sent to my hon. Friend. I have no plans to reduce the grant to the Equal Opportunities Commission in the current financial year.