HC Deb 02 May 1995 vol 259 cc166-7W
Ms Eagle

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made within his Department on equal opportunities matters. [21502]

Mr. Horam

Substantial progress both within the Department and in promoting equal opportunities throughout the civil service.

Ms Eagle

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress he hopes to achieve in his Department over the next three months to push forwards the declaration signed in October 1994 at the Vienna conference in preparation for the fourth UN conference on women; and if he will agree to incorporate a section on equal opportunities in his Department's annual report. [21504]

Mr. Horam

The Government are committed to the principles set out in the regional platform for action agreed at the preparatory conference in Vienna for the fourth UN world conference on women. They have taken these forward through a wide range of programmes and initiatives and will continue to do so.

The Government White Paper "Taking Forward Continuity and Change", published in response to a report from the Treasury and Civil Service Select Committee, recommended that Departments and agencies publish their individual actions and progress on equal opportunities in their annual reports. The Departments and agencies for which my right hon. Friend is responsible will be taking this forward.

Ms Eagle

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish the gender assessment being prepared by his Department. [21503]

Mr. Horam

The Cabinet Office—Office of Public Service and Science—has a policy, in line with guidance issued in 1992 by the ministerial group on women's issues, that policy proposals should ensure that unlawful or unjustifiable sex or race discrimination does not occur and that similar principles apply to people with disabilities, older people or ex-offenders. Policy advice to Ministers is continuously and routinely scrutinised in these respects.

Ms Eagle

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which Minister in his Department has responsibility for equal opportunities issues. [21501]

Mr. Horam

I do.