§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the extent of the gender pay gap among staff in her Department. [41002]
§ Dr. HowellsIn response to the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) Task Force "Just Pay" report the Government have committed Departments and agencies to review their pay systems and prepare any necessary action plans to close any equal pay gaps by April 2003. The Cabinet Office issued comprehensive guidance in January 2002 to assist Departments and agencies in carrying out these reviews. DCMS will be carrying out its review within the next six months and the Royal Parks Agency will be building it into their programme.