Women in Parliament: Centenary

Chris Davies (Brecon and Radnorshire) (Con)
8. What plans the Government have to mark the 100th anniversary of women being allowed to stand for Parliament.

The Minister for Women and Equalities (Penny Mordaunt)
rose—

Hon. Members
Resign.

Penny Mordaunt
I know my duty, and at 10 am this morning, it was to be in this House answering questions. [Interruption.]

Mr Speaker
Order. We must do the Minister the courtesy of hearing her.

Penny Mordaunt
The Government Equalities Office will be holding a conference to celebrate the centenary of the Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act 1918 on 21 November 2018. The GEO is also providing financial assistance to ensure that every MP in this House can invite a woman constituent into Parliament for the day, and I hope that all MPs will be doing that.

Chris Davies
I thank my right hon. Friend for her answer. It was great to see female MPs from around the globe pledge to support one another’s fight for gender equality recently. Will my right hon. Friend update the House on that first ever meeting of women MPs from every Parliament around the world?

Penny Mordaunt
I thank my hon. Friend for raising that important point. One of the outcomes of that day, alongside the issues that the women discussed, was the desire expressed by me and the other host of the event that those women should form a lasting network to support one another in fighting for gender equality around the world.