HL Deb 17 October 2001 vol 627 cc98-100WA
Baroness Thomas of Walliswood

asked Her Majesty's Government;

Whether they have undertaken any research into the reasons for the small number of women elected to the House of Commons during the last 25 years; and, if so, what conclusions they have drawn. [HL726]

The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Baroness Morgan of Huyton)

There has been extensive research into the reasons for women's under-representation in politics and the Government are currently considering whether they need to commission further work. The most recent study was published by the Equal Opportunities Commission in August 2001, entitledWomen in Parliament: a comparative analysis. This concluded that the use of positive measures was the decisive factor in determining levels of women's representation. The Fawcett Society has also been working on a project studying the experiences of women in parliamentary selections. Interim findings note that experience in the UK and elsewhere in Europe indicates that it is only through the use of positive action mechanisms that women's representation can be significantly increased. Copies of the EOC document have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Baroness Thomas of Walliswood

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have identified good practice within political parties in other member states of the European Union which have resulted in a significant increase in the number of women elected to their national parliaments; and, if so, whether such practice could be applied in the United Kingdom. [HL727]

Baroness Morgan of Huyton

The Government are aware of a variety of methods used by other member states to increase the representation of women in parliament. Both the Constitution Unit at University College London and the Equal Opportunities Commission have produced work that highlights methods. The Minister for Transport, Local Government and the Regions has today introduced legislation so that the principle of reducing inequality in the numbers of men and women elected within political parties may be applied in the UK just as it is in many other member states. Many parties in countries such as Sweden, Germany and France use some form of positive action. Due to different electoral systems, examples of good practice cannot always be applied directly, and it will be for the political parties to choose what practices, if any, they wish to use.

Baroness Thomas of Walliswood

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What conclusions can be drawn from the number of women elected to the Welsh Assembly, the Scottish Parliament and the European Parliament; and how these conclusions might be applied to elections to the House of Commons. [HL728]

Baroness Morgan of Huyton

The Government are aware that women's representation in both the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament is significantly higher than in the House of Commons because of positive measures used in these elections by certain political parties. The Government have introduced legislation today in the other place to enable parties to use positive measures to seek to reduce inequality between numbers of men and women elected to all legislatures and councils in the UK and to the European Parliament.

Baroness Thomas of Walliswood

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What legislative changes they propose to ensure that the proportion of women elected to the House of Commons reflects the proportion of women in the population; and what targets would be appropriate to measure progress. [HL729]

Baroness Morgan of Huyton

The Minister for Transport, Local Government and the Regions announced legislation to reduce the inequality in the numbers of women and men elected in the other place today. The Bill proposes to exclude from the operation of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 positive measures political parties may take to reduce inequality in the numbers of men and women elected when selecting candidates. Equivalent amendments will be made to the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976, which covers Northern Ireland. The elections covered will be those to Westminster, to devolved bodies, to local government in the UK and to the European Parliament. The legislation will be permissive and enable parties to use positive measures to reduce inequality in the representation of women and men within that party in an elected body; political parties are therefore free to determine their own targets and monitor progress.