§ Jackie BallardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 1998,Official Report, columns 557–58, prior to 18 May, what mechanisms were used to determine how legislation passed in the current session would affect women; what consultation he had with women's organisations; and if he will make a statement. [49094]
§ Ms QuinGuidance on policy appraisal for equal treatment has been available within the Home Office since 1989, with revised guidance issued in August 1997.
Within this Department, where appropriate and possible, we are making use of consultation, research projects and disaggregated statistics to identify the impact of policy on women. For example, we have conducted research aimed at understanding the sentencing of women. Examples of bodies with which I have had correspondence include the Maternity Alliance, Women in Prison and the Mother's Union. Furthermore, the Cabinet Sub Committee on Women's Issues, on which I am the Home Office representative, reviews and develops the Government's policy and strategy on issues of special concern to women and oversees their implementation. The importance of seeing the implications for women of all policies is discussed.