§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the responsibilities of the Parliamentary Secretary for Women; and how many officials and at what grades have been appointed with responsibility in this area. [4256]
§ Ms HarmanAs Minister for Women, I have been given the responsibility to co-ordinate and drive forward policies which will make a real difference to women's lives. I will chair the new Cabinet Sub-Committee for Women, which will review and develop the Government's policy and strategy on issues of special concern to women and oversee their implementation, and I will examine economic and social papers going to Cabinet Sub-Committees to monitor their impact on women. My objectives are to create a new bond of trust between women and Government and to ensure that the Government delivers its promises to women, including manifesto commitments on issues such as family-friendly employment, a national childcare strategy and domestic violence.
I will be supported in this role by Joan Ruddock MP, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Women and at official level by a new Women's Unit. The resourcing of the Women's Unit is still under consideration but the current staff profile (full-time equivalents) is as follows:"
- 1 Grade 5 (Head of the Women's Unit)
- 1.8 Grade 7s
- 2.4 SEOs
- 1 HEO
- 3 EOs
- 1 AO
- 2 AAs
- 1 Personal Secretary
This includes the six staff that make up the Secretariat of the Women's National Commission.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State is supported by a Private Office consisting of 1 HEO, 1 EO and an AO.