§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what response he has made to the recent Equal Opportunities Commission Report which revealed a large disparity between men and women's pay; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThe hon. Member is presumably referring to information in the 1987 annual report of the Equal Opportunities Commission which was published on 14 June. This report will be discussed on 13 July by my 571W Department's advisory committee on women's employment. Joanna Foster, the chairman of the Equal Opportunities Commission, is a member of the Committee and will be attending this meeting.
The Government are fully committed to equal opportunities and equal pay for men and women.