§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she has established a baseline for policy appraisal against which to measure progress on equal treatment; and what progress has been achieved. [66731]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 4 July 2002]: The Government is committed to making sure that policies are inclusive and take full account of the needs and experiences of those affected by them.
Guidance on building this approach into all policy development and implementation was issued to all Divisions which now make up DEFRA. Whilst no baseline has been established since the creation of DEFRA, current consultation arrangements aim to ensure that there is no differential impact on different groups of the population such as men or women, ethnic minorities or those from particular age groups.
In addition, the Department's draft Equality Scheme required by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act, sets out the proposed actions in respect of its duties to promote equality between different racial groups.
Progress has been made in embedding awareness of the need to take account of diversity and equality not only in employment but also in delivering policies. However, there is more to be done and we are currently considering further ways to ensure that our procedures reflect these aims.