HC Deb 21 June 1999 vol 333 cc296-7W
Jackie Ballard

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the women's organisations which have been consulted over proposed legislation by his Department during this session; and if their responses have been published. [87186]

Ms Hodge

The Government are committed to making sure that policies are inclusive and take full account of the needs and experience of all those affected by them. Guidelines on Policy Appraisals for Equal Treatment in November 1998 commit policy makers to assessing how proposals affect different groups of people. Application of the guidance has been the responsibility of individual Departments. Within this Department we are making use of consultation, research projects and disaggregated statistics to identify the impact of policy upon women.

The Government's proposals for a Disability Rights Commission, the Bill to establish which is currently before this House, have been influenced directly by the views of the Equal Opportunities Commission. They have also been the subject of extensive public consultation. Over 7,000 copies of the White Paper "Promoting disabled people's rights" were issued, including to a number of women's organisations. Five national consultation conferences on the White Paper were held in September and October 1998. An analysis of responses to the White Paper has been placed in the Library.