HC Deb 12 February 1985 vol 73 cc143-4W
Ms. Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the non-governmental organisations which will be consulted about the national statement to be prepared for the United Nations End of Decade for Women conference.

Mr. Renton

A list of non-governmental organisations which have participated throughout the work of the groups set up in 1982 in liaison with the Women's National Commission will be published with the groups' reports. These reports will be taken into account in preparing our national statement to the conference.

Ms. Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give details of the financial and administrative support made available to each of the United Kingdom's working groups on the United Nations Decade for Women.

Mr. Renton

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has made £200 available to each of 13 working groups to help meet the administrative costs of preparing their reports.

The Cabinet Office, through the Women's National Commission, has provided conference facilities and support services and has undertaken research work for the groups.

Ms. Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the grants made available to groups, individuals and research organisations to enable them to provide research necessary to answer the United Nations End of Decade for Women questionnaire.

Mr. Renton

The work needed for the United Kingdom's response to the United Nations questionnaire was undertaken by the Government. Consequently, no such grants were made.

Ms. Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures have been taken within his Department to implement articles 91, 98, 101 and 105 of the 1975 world plan of action for the United Nations Decade for Women.

Mr. Renton

Article 91

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is an equal opportunity employer. There are no barriers to employment on the grounds of sex or marital status and this is reflected in our recruitment literature. At the end of 1984 women formed 36 per cent. of the total complement of the Diplomatic Service.

Article 98

This article is not strictly applicable to the Government. Nevertheless, both male and female officers within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are treated in exactly the same way as regards work and promotion in all sectors, including management and policy-making.

Article 101

On 9 February 1984 we announced a programme of action on women within the Civil Service consisting of 70 items covering the whole spectrum of equal opportunities issues and including measures for part-time work and flexible working hours. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has appointed equal opportunities officers to provide a focal point for the promulgation of these policies. The equal opportunities officers are in regular contact with the trade unions.

Article 105

This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Social Security. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office follows national practice in such matters.

Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to promote policies designed to achieve the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women: and what budget has been allocated for this.

Mr. Renton

We are fully committed to elminating discrimation and to promoting equal opportunities for women which we see as the most important objectives of the United Nations Decade. We have taken a range of initiatives during the Decade which contribute to these objectives. No fixed proportion of public funds has been allocated for this.

Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government have any plans to evaluate the extent to which the goals of the United Nations Decade for Women have been achieved in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Renton

We are evaluating progress made in the achievement in this country of these goals as part of our preparations for the world conference of the Decade for Women, to be held in July in Nairobi. We shall be presenting a full report to the conference.

Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what research Her Majesty's Government commissioned prior to Her Majesty's Government's answering the United Nations End of Decade for Women questionnaire.

Mr. Simon Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he has any plans to evaluate the extent to which the goals of the United Nations Decade for Women have been achieved; and if he will publish his findings;

(2) what steps he is taking to promote policies designed to achieve the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women; and what budget he has allocated to this;

(3) what research he commissioned prior to Her Majesty's Government answering the United Nations End of Decade for Women questionnaire.

Mr. Renton

The United Nations questionnaire sought essentially factual information, which was obtained from the relevant Government Departments.