HC Deb 07 November 2002 vol 392 cc754-5W
Mrs. Spelman

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and Minister for Women what assessment her Department has made of the recent Economic and Social Research Council Report on disparities in salaries between men and women. [78824]

Ms Hewitt

The Government welcome the ESRC's recent report, entitled "Diversity in Britain's Labour Market", as a contribution to the debate about women's earnings.

The report confirms that the pay gap has many complex causes. The government is tackling these underlying problems by encouraging equal pay reviews; introducing the annual Castle Awards and Fair Pay Champions and providing additional funding of £151,867 (on top of the initial £145,000) to trade unions, for training representatives in equal pay issues in the workplace. Work-Life Balance initiatives, the right to request reduced hours, improved and extended maternity rights and the National Childcare Strategy will also help to tackle both the full-time and part-time pay gap.

Mrs. Spelman

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on(a) the work of the UN Commission on the Status of Women and (b) her Department's financial support for the Commission. [78665]

Ms Hewitt

I have been asked to reply.

The UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) plays an important role in promoting women's rights, developing follow up to the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women and has a catalytic role in mainstreaming a gender perspective into policies and programmes of the UN system. It was established by the Economic and Social Council, which elects CSW's 45 members for four-year terms.

The UK is an active member of the Commission and takes a leading role in the development of its policy and work programme, reflecting the UK's commitment to promote gender equality. The UK sends a strong delegation to the annual session of the Commission in New York, including officials from the DTI, FCO and DfID, plus members of the Women's National Commission.

The Commission's operating costs are funded through the UN Regular Budget to which the UK contributes 5.6 per cent. (the total Regular Budget is $2,625 million per year). Additional voluntary UK funding is provided to support the work of the UN Secretariat to prepare for CSW. In 2002, this included £10,000 from DfID for development-related expert group meetings held in advance of CSW to facilitate discussion and help the Secretariat produce reports on the Commission's priority themes. In preparation for CSW's 2003 session DfID will provide similar funding for expert group meetings.