§ Ms. Richardsonasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 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. ButcherMy Department is aware of the need for women to play their full part in the wealth creation process. It has adopted a number of measures to encourage women to pursue non-traditional careers in industry, for example in engineering, information technology and management generally. Some of these measures are described in more detail in the Home Office review of the United Nations' "Forward-Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women", a copy of which is in the Library. They include support for initiatives in education, such as the Government's engineering and technology programme; and encouraging companies to tailor their recruitment and career structures to the needs of women. Industry is responding positively.
I am also keen to increase the number of women taking up public appointments for which my Department is responsible. We encourage women's organisations to 76W submit details of possible appointees, and we welcome their views on the Department's work. The training offered to all staff in the Department covers the importance of bearing in mind the needs of particular groups, including women, and officials are kept fully informed of equal opportunities requirements in personnel matters.