§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many public transport operators have undertaken gender audits in line with the Department's document, Women and Public Transport: the Checklist; what plans he has to ensure that more operators undertake gender audits; and if he will instruct the Strategic Rail Authority to ensure that gender audits are a requirement of future franchise contracts. [158826]
§ Mr. HillThe Checklist has been widely distributed to transport operators, local authorities and interested parties. As the Checklist is not required to be implemented by transport operators, we do not keep records on how many operators have undertaken gender audits; nor do we have plans to make implementation mandatory. However, the Checklist is highlighted in 'Guidance on Full Local Transport Plans' as a useful tool to promote social inclusion, and we will be undertaking a review of Local Transport Plans to see how many local authorities have used the Checklist (and other departmental guidance) in their work to promote social inclusion.
On rail, there are no plans to include the Checklist in replacement franchise contracts, although we would expect operators to be aware of it.