§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he is satisfied with the operation of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975; whether he has any plans to amend that Act; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether he is satisfied with the operation and progress of the Equal Opportunities Commission; what has been the cost of the commission to public funds in each of the last six years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RaisonWe are satisfied that both the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and the Equal Opportunities Commission continue to have an important contribution to make to the extension of equality of opportunity for both sexes. The Government have, at present, no plans to amend the Act, but we are still considering a number of proposals for amendment put forward by the Commission. The cost of the Commission to public funds in the last six years has been as follows:
£ 1976–77 850,430 1977–78 1,460,699 1978–79 1,644,650 1979–80 2,146,109 1980–81 2,520,270 1981–82 2,911,000