What steps are being taken to encourage submission of evidence and views to the Women and Work Commission.

The Women and Work Commission's call for evidence was published in English and Welsh on the women and equality unit's website in November, with responses requested by 11 February 2005. It has been publicised to over 600 organisations across the UK. Fair Play Scotland has appointed a worker to co-ordinate Scottish views.

Will my right hon. Friend pay special attention to the progress being made in Glasgow, where more women are going back to work after having children, and advancing their careers in business and local government?

I certainly give my hon. Friend that assurance. One of the jobs for the women and work commissioners will be to visit places like Glasgow to talk to women and their employers about what has helped women to make choices about combining work and care, and to make sure that women in work get the fair deal that they deserve.

Oxfam has estimated that there are more than 1 million home workers in the UK. Of that total, 90 per cent. are women, 50 per cent. of whom come from ethnic minorities. Home workers' average pay is reported to be as low as £2.53 an hour. Two years ago, the Government consulted on home workers' employment status, and promised to publish a report in January this year. Where is it?

I share the hon. Gentleman's concern about the position of homeworkers, and I shall write to him about the progress of the report to which he referred.