§ 42. Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he takes to ensure that current Government policies will enable women in sufficient numbers to join the work force in the next decade.
§ Mr. NichollsMy right hon. Friend has taken, and will continue to take, steps to enable women to join the work force through deregulatory measures which free women to compete equally with men for jobs; and positive action to help women obtain the necessary training for employment.
Nearly 1.5 million more women joined the labour force in the five years to March 1988.
In addition, all Government policies are now equal opportunity-proofed so that their effect on women can be assessed. My own Department has equal opportunity-proofed new policies and programmes since 1985.
§ 87. Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many representations he has received on the increase of employment of women following the publication of the Training Commission report 1987–88; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThe Government place great importance on the contribution that women can make to meeting skill needs in the Labour market. In developing its training programmes the Government has listened carefully to the advice it has received from numerous organisations with an interest in the economic development of women.