HC Deb 21 March 2003 vol 401 c976W
Sandra Gidley

To ask the Minister for Women if she will make a statement regarding the proportion of her ministerial time she gives to her Women's Portfolio duties. [99037]

Mr. Stunell

To ask the Minister for Women if she will make a statement on the proportion of her ministerial time she spends on women's portfolio duties. [103779]

Ms Hewitt

With women making up about half the workforce, setting up a third of new business start-ups and making the majority of decisions as consumers, my roles as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and Minister for Women are inextricably linked. I do not therefore see the two as separate roles to which time should be specifically allocated or recorded.

My hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche) also works on women and equality issues as part of her ministerial portfolio.