HC Deb 15 January 1986 vol 89 cc595-6W
Mrs. Beckett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what meetings he has had with the Equal Opportunities Commission to discuss the implementation of those parts of the United Nations Nairobi forward-looking strategies for the advancement of women relevant to his Department; and what future plans he has for such meetings.

Mr. Fowler

I have not met the Equal Opportunities Commission to discuss the strategies and have no plans to do so.

Mrs. Beckett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to evaluate the success of those parts of the United Nations Nairobi forward-looking strategies for the advancement of women which apply to his Department; what resources he has allocated to this; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Fowler

The Department is studying the text of the Nairobi forward-looking strategies for the advancement of women and will be considering how best to take its conclusions forward.

Mrs. Beckett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has for implementing paragraph 58 of the United Nations Nairobi forward-looking strategies for the advancement of women, which calls for the collection of timely and reliable statistics on the situation of women.

Mr. Fowler

A good deal of relevant statistical information is already collected by the Department. Much of this information is published.

Mrs. Beckett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will establish a special office within his Department to monitor periodically and accelerate the process of equitable representation of women as called for paragraph 88 of the United Nations Nairobi forward-looking strategies for the advancement of women.

Mr. Fowler

The Department is working in conjunction with the trade unions to implement the recommendations of the programme of action on equal opportunity for women in the Civil Service as agreed 0 by the Management and Personnel Office and the Council for Civil Service Unions. A departmental equal opportunities officer has been appointed and a network of equal opportunity officers set up covering every personnel section.