HC Deb 15 April 2002 vol 383 cc751-2W
Sandra Gidley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he has established a baseline for policy appraisal against which to measure progress on equal treatment; and what progress has been achieved; [46496]

(2) what new data series separated by gender, race, disability and age have been commissioned by his Department since August 1997; [46497]

(3) if he will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by his Department since June 1997, indicating in each case whether the outcome has been (a) put out to consultation and (b) published. [46498]

Mr. Paul Murphy

[holding answer 26 March 2002]: The Government are fully committed to promoting equality of opportunity. In 1998, we included an obligation in the Government of Wales Act requiring the National Assembly for Wales to have due regard to the principle of equality of opportunity for all the people of Wales.

Most of the executive responsibilities of the former Welsh Office transferred to the Assembly in July 1999. Since then, I have not identified a need to conduct gender impact assessments nor to establish baselines for policy appraisal in respect of any of my remaining responsibilities.

Sandra Gidley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the women's organisations which have been consulted over proposed legislation by his Department during(a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02 sessions; and if their responses have been published. [46499]

Mr. Paul Murphy

[holding answer 26 March 2002]: My Department has direct responsibility only for legislative provisions which relate specifically to Wales.

Detailed information about consultees is not collated centrally. However, available records indicate that the Wales Assembly for Women and Welsh Women's Aid have been consulted on a number of proposals.

In the 2001–02 session, the Wales Assembly for Women responded to consultation on proposals for the Education Bill. Unless the respondent asked for confidentiality, all responses were placed in the National Assembly for Wales library, where they can be made available on request.