HC Deb 28 November 1996 vol 286 cc325-6W
Mrs. Roche

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of those employed by his Department in 1992–93 were women. [6479]

Mr. Streeter

As at 31 December 1992, 63.55 per cent. of staff in the Lord Chancellor's Department were women. As at 31 December 1993 that proportion had risen to 64.18 per cent.

Mrs. Roche

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many women are currently employed by his Department at each civil service grade. [6447]

Mr. Streeter

For the Lord Chancellor's Department headquarters and associated offices, the Court Service and the Public Trust Office, the information is set out in the table.

Civil Service grade Number of women
Grade 1 0
Grade 2 0
Grade 3 1
Grade 4 1
Grade 5 10
Grade 6 21
Grade 7 94
SEO 133
HEO 582
EO 1,510
AO 3,555
AA 308
Support Grade 1,463

Ms Janet Anderson

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he is taking to measure and evaluate the effect of his Department's policies on women. [5477]

Mr. Streeter

In July of this year, the model guidance on policy appraisal for equal treatment was revised and circulated at Cabinet level for Departments to adapt to their own circumstances. A copy was placed in the Library of the House. This guidance requires officials to identify policy issues which might impact differentially 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. The guidance has been issued to senior officials in the Lord Chancellor's Department.