HC Deb 07 November 1988 vol 140 cc10-1W
Ms. Richardson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when the ministerial group on women's issues will next be meeting; whether the group will be meeting at regular intervals; and whether scrutiny, for direct or indirect sex discrimination in past and present legislation will be a future agenda item for the group;

(2) whether the ministerial group on women's issues consulted with the Equal Opportunities Commission, appropriate trade unions, or other equal opportunities expert opinion from the United Kingdom and the European Community before drawing up the proofing system and checklist which will be used to identify direct or indirect discrimination against women in future Government legislation; and whether he will publish the proofing checklist;

(3) how the operation of the proofing system, recommended by the ministerial group on women's issues, will be monitored and reviewed;

(4) how may training hours and days have been allocated for the staff awareness seminars recommended by the ministerial group on women's issues.

Mr. John Patten

The ministerial group on women's issues will next meet in February 1989. The function of the group is to co-ordinate policy issues of special concern to women, including the practical effect of legislation. At its meetings on 24 October, the group endorsed model guidance on "equal opportunity proofing" and a checklist for staff of Government Departments. These were prepared after discussion with the Equal Opportunities Commission. A copy of the model guidance and the checklist has been placed in the Library.

The ministerial group will keep its operation under review to see whether any changes are required in the light of experience. In addition, the Civil Service college is running a one-day pilot seminar on equal opportunity proofing in the new year and it will be repeated on future occasions to meet departmental needs. The ministerial group is also asking departmental trainers to liaise with the college in order to incorporate appropriate guidance in their own training courses.