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Women, Justice and Gender Equality

I congratulate that group of women in my hon. Friend’s constituency. It is gratifying to note that the people who stand up for the services that they need and protest about Government hospital closures are not only members of the Cabinet but those who suffer from the plans. I commend the group for its work. Let us consider economic activity. I use that phrase rather than ““jobs”” or ““the workplace”” because women in the work force are essential to our country’s economy, our society’s structure and, indeed, the economies of family life. Women working is not an add-on or an extra. I therefore use the term ““economic activity”” because the women who undertake it do so in a wide range of matters. We must recognise that. However, I do not say that legislation should take account of women in the workplace out of altruism or because it is correct, good and encourages equality. It is necessary for the economic success of our country. Without economic success, we do not have the resources for the public services and welfare matters on which we all want to spend public money.