HC Deb 08 January 2004 vol 416 cc438-9W
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Minister for Women what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on gender budgeting. [146250]

Jacqui Smith

I have had no specific discussions with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on gender budgeting, however I have jointly sponsored, with my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, a pilot project on gender analysis of expenditure.

I believe gender analysis of expenditure can be an extremely useful tool in both policy development and evaluation. My officials in WEU have worked closely with HMT during the pilot project, with DTI being one of two Departments taking part. Lessons from this project will be used to inform further work in this area.