§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Solicitor-General what progress has been made with the pay review in the Law Officers' Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible, with particular reference to the gender pay gap; and if she will make a statement. [106749]
§ The Solicitor-General[holding answer 7 April 2003]: The information is as follows:
Crown Prosecution Service
The Crown Prosecution Service has undertaken an analysis of both its pay structure and the individual pay details of all its permanent staff. The detailed results are being discussed with the Departmental Trade Unions and a formal action plan will be available soon.
While the focus of the Crown Prosecution Service's Equal Pay Review Model is on gender equality, the Department's intention is to apply it to other groups as part of a wider diversity agenda late this year. This we will be able to do more effectively given the outcomes we obtained from the current exercise.
Serious Fraud Office
The Serious Fraud Office conducted its equal pay review in April 2003 and is in the process of drafting an action plan. It is proposed that a copy of the agreed action plan will be placed in the Library of the House in due course.
Treasury Solicitor's Department and Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers
The Treasury Solicitor's Department has completed the review of its pay systems, encompassing women, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities. An action plan has been produced and this will be placed in the Library of the House after full consideration has been given to the issues identified. The Review covers staff in the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers.
HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate
Although the pay systems for HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate differ from those of the Treasury Solicitor's Department, they fall within that budget and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate was therefore included as apart of the Treasury Solicitor's Department review of the pay systems encompassing women, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities. HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate is currently giving consideration to how the recommendations made following the review may impact upon it.