Mims Davies, MP for Eastleigh, spoke to two Secretaries of State in consecutive debates in the House of Commons last week.
The first being an urgent question on fair pay at the BBC following the BBC’s China correspondent Carrie Gracie’s resignation over unequal pay, and the second being a statement on Parole Boards and Victim support following the case of John Warboys.
Following her appearances, Mims said:
‘I have long been a passionate supporter of women’s issues, having served on the Women and Equalities Select Committee and as the former chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Women in Parliament. But not only that, I recognise how gender equality in all spheres of life is so important to my constituents.’
‘It is so important that we cultivate an equal society and I am pleased that my Governmental colleagues are taking these issues so seriously. Both in terms of fair pay, and in terms of adequately supporting rape and harassment victims.’
In the debate on BBC Pay Mims asked:
“I declare two interests as chair of the all-party parliamentary commercial radio group and the former proud owner of a BBC pass. I strongly welcome pay transparency as the BBC is a publicly funded body. We are now in a very disappointing place. Does the new Secretary of State recognise that, despite what the Government have done, it is astonishing that we would not have discovered this underlying disparity without the singular bravery of individual women?”
The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Rt. Hon. Matt Hancock MP, replied:
“Yes. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend, who has worked hard on this issue during her time in the House. I also pay tribute to Carrie Gracie for her bravery and her actions.”
The Secretary of State concluded the debate by saying:
‘The BBC must act, because the brilliant women who work at all levels of the BBC deserve better.’
Shortly after, in the debate on Parole Boards and Victim Support, Mims asked:
“For the second time today, women’s rights and transparency take centre stage in the Chamber. Again, we are discussing whether a system works and whether a process is letting women down. May I, too, welcome the Lord Chancellor to his role, and urge him to use the review roundly to ensure that the system is fair and works for everyone, and women feel it is safe and works for them?”
David Gauke, The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, replied:
“My hon. Friend has made an important point about the need for women to feel safe, and we must ensure that the system provides that reassurance.”
Mims has subsequently welcomed that the Lord Chancellor has announced he is considering a judicial review of the John Worboys case, and that the Prime Minister Theresa May has also called for greater transparency in Parole Board decisions so as to better keep victims informed with developments.