Women and Equalities written question – answered at on 6 September 2011.
Naomi Long
Alliance, Belfast East
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what recent assessment she has made of the compatibility with equalities legislation of (a) the requirement to wear a necktie and (b) other gender-specific workplace dress codes.
Theresa May
Minister for Women and Equalities, The Secretary of State for the Home Department
Today I am wearing a silver grey trouser suit and a pair of shoes from LK Bennett.
As Secretary of State for the Home Department I have not found that traditional gender-based workplace dress codes have held me back. I indeed believe that they encourage a sense of professionalism in the workplace.
Yes4 people think so
No42 people think not
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Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
