§ Ms EagleTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made within his Department on equal opportunities matters. [21476]
§ Sir John WheelerProgress on equal opportunities matters in relation to staff in the Northern Ireland civil service is detailed in regularly published reports of the service's equal opportunities unit. The home civil service cadre of the Northern Ireland Office is included in regular reports on equal opportunities published by the Cabinet Office. Copies of the reports are placed in the Library.
§ Ms EagleTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which Minister in his Department has responsibility for equal opportunities issues. [21475]
§ Mr. AncramMy noble Friend Baroness Denton has the lead role for equal opportunities issues in Northern Ireland and represents Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office at the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Women's Issues. The Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Minister for Westminster, North (Sir J. Wheeler), has lead responsibility for equal opportunity matters within the Northern Ireland civil service.
§ Ms EagleTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the gender assessment being prepared by his Department. [21477]
§ Mr. AncramRevised Government guidelines on policy appraisal fair treatment, which came into effect on 1 January 1994, aim to ensure that in the development or review of policies and programmes Departments and agencies do not unfairly or unnecessarily discriminate against specified sections of the community, including people of different gender. Annual reports on the implementation of the policy appraisal and fair treatment initiative will be published. The first of these is being prepared.