To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made with the pay review in his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible, with particular reference to the gender pay gap; and if he will make a statement. [106752]

My Department has carried out a Gender Pay Equality Review in accordance with the commitment made by Government in response to the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) Task Force `Just Pay' Report.Any matters arising from the Review will be taken forward as part of the 2003 pay negotiations within the Department which are due to start in May.