§ Jackie BallardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by his Department since June 1997, stating in each case whether the outcome has been(a) put out to consultation and (b) published. [91684]
§ Mr. MealeI refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health on 22 July 1999,Official Report, column 636.
As part of the Government's commitment to ensuring that their policies are relevant to the lives that people live today, my Department is working closely with the Women's Unit to develop good practices for carrying out gender impact appraisal.
In May 1998, my Department relaunched its policy appraisal for equal treatment initiative. We are continuing to make use of consultations, research projects and disaggregated statistics to identify the impact of policy on women.
In parallel, we are developing a gender audit checklist to help transport operators and planners better understand and meet women's public transport requirements. The checklist is currently being finalised. Similarly, in housing, the Department (in association with the Women's Unit and the Department of Health) have commissioned a comprehensive package of research on 'Accommodation and Support for Households Experiencing Domestic Violence'. This study will examine a range of women's experiences of the accommodation and support provided in response to their needs, including those women who are assisted under the homeless legislation.