§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures his Department has taken to encourage the promotion of women into senior positions within his Department and its executive agencies. [35672]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe Department is committed to equality of opportunity for all employees. In relation to women there is a departmental action plan to achieve equality of opportunity based on the programme for action for women in the civil service. Initiatives taken to improve the development and promotion of women staff include equal opportunities training and seminars for staff and senior managers; a women in management training course; at least one woman on each promotion panel; part-time working; and nursery and holiday play schemes are available.