HL Deb 09 December 1996 vol 576 cc77-8WA
Lord Stoddart of Swindon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer given by Lord Henley on 14th November (WA 111), to ask whether they will reconsider their refusal to establish a Men's National Commission so as to ensure that there is no discrimination against men, particularly in public employment, primary and secondary education, the law and legislation.

Lord Henley

There is no need to reconsider.

The UK has a full legislative framework to combat and deter sex discrimination and is unique within the European Union in having Equal Opportunities Commissions for Great Britain and Northern Ireland with a statutory duty to help enforce the legislation and promote equality of opportunity between the sexes.

The Education Reform Act 1988 introduced the National Curriculum, which provides programmes of study and learning objectives to be followed by all regardless of sex or ability and significantly reduces opportunity for traditional stereotyping.