§ Jackie BallardTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [47013]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Department had guidelines in place designed to ensure that those involved in the development of policy consider the possible differential effects which their proposals may have on men and women and to take action where these effects cannot be justified.
No differential effects have been identified during the course of preparation of any of the legislation introduced in this session of Parliament for which the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is responsible.
154WThe Department's guidelines will be reviewed once we receive new guidelines, which are being worked up as part of a cross-departmental initiative which the Ministers for Women announced on 18 May.