§ Ms. Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the main needs of women in the policy areas within the sphere of his Department's activities; what has been done to identify and quantify these needs and to monitor services delivery; what consultation is carried out with women to ensure their views are adequately represented; and what training is given to his staff to raise their appreciation of the needs of women.
§ Mr. RidleyThe policies of my Department meet the needs of men and women equally. Specific measures taken by my Department which are of particular benefit to women are set out in the Government response to the98W United Nations "Forward Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women", published on 29 April. The views of women on these measures and policies are welcome and my Department actively consults women's organisations in appropriate cases. Equal opportunities training, including that designed to raise awareness of the needs of women, is included in all my Department's main management courses.