§ Jackie BallardTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. [47020]
§ Marjorie MowlamThe Policy Appraisal for Fair Treatment (PAFT) administrative guidelines of 1993 require the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments to assess the equality impact of new policies, including legislation, in terms of gender and seven other categories. Such assessments are not published, but are covered by annual reports on the implementation of PAFT. A report for 1997 is in preparation. The White Paper, "Partnership for Equality", published on 11 March 1998, proposed replacing PAFT with a statutory obligation to promote equality of opportunity.