§ Ms. Harman asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will establish law reform committees constituted as proposed in paragraph 66 of the United Nations Nairobi forward looking strategies for women.
§ Mr. WaddingtonMy right hon. Friend has no plans to do so. Every Government Department already has a duty to keep under review as appropriate the legislation relevant to its areas of responsibility. The Equal Opportunities Commission has a duty to keep under review the working of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and the Equal Pay Act 1970 and may review other legislation in the fulfilment of its other statutory duties.
Ms. Harman asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish a special office within his Department to monitor periodically and accelerate the process of equitable representation of women as called for in paragraph 88 of the United Nations Nairobi forward looking strategies for women.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe Home Office designated two equal opportunity officers in January 1984. They oversee and monitor the equal opportunities policy within the Departments, including the Civil Service programme of action for women.
Ms. Harman asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to evaluate those parts of the United Nations forward looking strategies for women which apply to his Department; what resources he has allocated to this; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThose parts of the 'forward looking strategies' which are relevant to the Home Office are being carefully considered as part of the normal work of the Department.