§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his assessment so far of the consequences of his decision to designate, in his Department, a Minister having responsibilities for women; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RedwoodMy right hon. Friend the Minister of State has had special responsibility for issue relating to women in Wales for some years. He has been a member of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Women's Issues since April 1992; and prior to that was a member of the ministerial group on women's issues.
The present ministerial sub committee aims to focus Government thinking and policy on women's issues and allows my Department to contribute to the overall range of Government activity affecting women.
My right hon. Friend's role also ensures that policy measures across the wide spectrum of my Department's own responsibilities are co-ordinated to take full account of the needs of women in Wales.