§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Minister for Women what recent discussions she has had with her European Union counterparts on women's issues. [25512]
§ Ms HewittI met Commissioner Diamantopoulou on 26 November 2001. We discussed a broad range of EU and UK social affairs policy issues, including child care provision, the gender pay gap, family friendly working and the Equal Treatment draft directive.
I am also looking forward to discussing employment issues with the French Employment Minister, Elizabeth Guigou, in London today. As Minister Guigou's area of responsibility also includes women and equality issues our discussions will cover issues of particular interest to women. My hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office will also be attending the EU Informal Meeting of Ministers for Women to be hosted by the Spanish Presidency at Santiago de Compostela on 18–19 February 2002.