§ Ms Janet AndersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to measure and evaluate the effect of his Department's policies on women. [5479]
§ Mr. HagueIn July this year, the model guidance on policy appraisal for equal treatment was revised and circulated at Cabinet level for Departments to adapt to252W their own circumstances. A copy was placed in the Library of the House. This guidance requires officials to identify policy issues which might impact differently on women and men, and other groups, to assess whether this is justified in policy terms, and to adjust the policy if it is not. This advice is incorporated in my Department's rules and procedures for handling departmental business.
The recent Government report "One Year On"outlines the action taken by Government to benefit women since the world conference on women, and also includes baseline statistics against which future progress can be measured.