HC Deb 30 April 2004 vol 420 c1369W
Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the(a) financial and (b) regulatory impact to (i) consumers and (ii) business of the Gender Equality Directive with regard to risk-based pricing in relation to gender; and if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on this issue. [169808]

Ruth Kelly

The Government have welcomed the development of European sex discrimination legislation through an Equal Treatment Directive but are concerned about the impacts, both on consumers and on the insurance industry, of the measures aimed at actuarial pricing of insurance and related financial services. The UK will continue to negotiate constructively to achieve a final agreement that reflects UK priorities and concerns.