---

6 May 2004 : Column 1723W—continued

PRIME MINISTER

Middle East

Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the recent open letter on Government policies on Iraq and the Israel/Palestine situation, signed by former British diplomats; and whether he plans to respond to the letter. [170994]

The Prime Minister: I set out my response to the letter at the press conference I gave with the Italian Prime Minister on 27 April. A full transcript of this is available on the Number 10 website.

Immigration

Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister what steps he proposes to take to bring the immigration procedures and rules up to date. [171080]

The Prime Minister: I refer my hon. Friend to the written ministerial statement made by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 22 April 2004, Official Report, columns 23–25WS.

Iraq

Mr. Howard: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his statement of 19 April 2004, Official Report, columns 21–3, on Iraq and the Middle East Peace Process, (1) whether he raised in Washington the role of the British representative in Baghdad; [171165]

(2) whether he asked President Bush to designate the British representative as Ambassador Bremer's deputy. [171168]

The Prime Minister: I refer the right hon. and learned Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Staffordshire (Sir Patrick Cormack) during my statement on 19 April 2004, Official Report, column 33.

Mr. Howard: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his statement of 19 April 2004, Official Report, columns 21–3, on Iraq and the Middle East Peace Process, what proposals were agreed with President Bush to improve the training and effectiveness of Iraqi security forces. [171166]

The Prime Minister: As I have made clear, discussions are still continuing on this.

Mr. Howard: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his statement of 19 April 2004, Official Report, columns 21–3, on Iraq and the Middle East Peace Process, (1) what arrangements are being made to replace the Spanish contingent; [171167]

(2) whether British commanders in Iraq have asked for reinforcements; and whether any such request has been made by the US Administration. [171169]

 
6 May 2004 : Column 1724W
 

The Prime Minister: I refer the right hon. and learned Gentleman to the answer I gave him at Prime Minister's questions on 5 May 2004, Official Report, columns 1331–32.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Equal Pay

23. Tony Lloyd: To ask the Minister for Women what steps are being taken to erode the differential between male and female earnings. [170672]

Jacqui Smith: We are taking a number of steps to increase women's opportunities in the labour market such as increasing support for child care, flexible working and work-balance and the help we, together with the EOC, have provided employees to tackle unequal pay where it exists. Indeed, we welcome yesterday's publication of the EOC's interim report on modern apprenticeships, which looks at the issue of occupational segregation, one of the causes of the gender pay gap.

Employment

24. Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister for Women what change there has been in the number of women in employment since 1997. [170673]

Ms Hewitt: The Government have implemented a substantial package of measures to give women greater choice when entering the labour market, including new rights for working parents, tax credits, New Deal for Lone Parents and New Deal for Partners. There are now more women in employment than ever before, 13 million, up from 12 million in spring 1997. This Government's initiatives have contributed to the significant increase.

Rape (Rwanda)

25. Tom Brake: To ask the Minister for Women what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for International Development regarding rape survivors in Rwanda. [170674]

Ms Hewitt: I fully support the work of my colleague the Secretary of State for International Development to assist women in post-conflict situations. The UK Government are providing direct assistance to the survivors of the genocide which is currently running at £200,000 per annum. I welcome the planned additional support of up to £850,000 which will include advice and counselling on issues around HIV/AIDS. I also welcome the financial assistance his Department is providing to witnesses, including rape survivors, at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

Teenage Pregnancy

26. Bob Russell: To ask the Minister for Women what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health regarding teenage pregnancy. [170675]

 
6 May 2004 : Column 1725W
 

Jacqui Smith: My hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and my hon. Friend the Minister for Women are pleased with the early signs that the Government's Teenage Strategy is working. The under 18 conception rate has fallen by 9.4 per cent. between 1998 and 2002.

Maternity Leave (Dismissals)

27. Dr. Cable: To ask the Minister for Women to how many companies she has made representations over the dismissal of women on return from maternity leave. [170676]

Jacqui Smith: Our message to employers is that those who discriminate against women returning from maternity leave are breaking the law. I welcome the EOC's formal investigation into pregnancy discrimination, as I am too aware that this type of unlawful discrimination still takes place. Hard evidence of the scope, nature of and reasons for such discrimination will enable us to tackle it more effectively.

Criminal Justice

28. Vera Baird: To ask the Minister for Women how she intends to respond to the Fawcett Society's Commission on Women and the Criminal Justice System. [170677]

Ms Hewitt: I welcome the wide-ranging and valuable contribution that the Fawcett Society's Commission on Women and the Criminal Justice System.

The recommendations will strengthen the work already in hand to support victims as outlined in the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victim's Bill, the three-year Action Plan to implement the Women's Offending Reduction Programme and Gender Equality PSA targets to increase women's participation in the criminal justice system.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Consumer Credit

11. Mr. Plaskitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on responses received from businesses consulted on recommendations contained within the White Paper on reforming consumer credit legislation. [170688]

Mr. Sutcliffe: We have received a substantial number of responses to the Consumer Credit White Paper and its associated consultation. The responses represent views from a wide cross section of the credit industry; business, consumer groups and enforcement agencies.

The Department is currently analysing these comments with a view to publishing a full Government response in early June.

Aerospace Industry

13. Mr. Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in pursuing the recommendations of the Aerospace Innovation and Growth Team report. [170690]

 
6 May 2004 : Column 1726W
 

Jacqui Smith: Good progress has been made across the wide range of recommendations contained in the   report, covering the areas of technology, skills, process excellence, socio-economic environment and environment, safety and security.

EU (New Members)

14. Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on trade with the 10 new member states of the EU. [170691]

Mr. Mike O'Brien: Accession of the 10 new states to the EU creates a market of 450 million people (bigger than US and Japan combined).

It will be the largest single market in the world, creating unprecedented opportunities for business and workers.

The UK should be well-placed to compete in this market on the basis of our supportive business environment and highly skilled and flexible workforce.

---