Yorkshire MP calls for 'women' to be removed from title of Women and Equalities committee

Speaking in Parliament, the Tory MP for Shipley suggested the panel should instead be named the Equalities Committee to reflect the name of the Government department it scrutinises.

His calls were echoed by fellow Tory David Nuttall, who claimed black, minority ethnic and gay people may feel women's concerns are prioritised over theirs because of the wording.

Mr Davies added that he did not see why "women's issues" could not be included under the umbrella term of equalities.

The Yorkshire MP has previously caused controversy over his campaigning for Parliament to recognise International Men's Day, and his attacks on "militant feminists".

However, he was appointed to the select committee - which scrutinises the Government's performance on issues relating to sex, age, race, religion and sexual orientation - in December completely unopposed.

Addressing ministers this morning, he pointed out that "every single departmental select committee is named after the department that it scrutinises", with Women and Equalities committee the "only exception".

"So surely this committee should be called the equalities committee," he said.

Deputy Commons Leader Michael Ellis said there currently are no plans to bring forward proposals to change the committee's name.

He added that he has "received no representations from the Women and Equalities Committee to make such a change."

He was then asked by Mr Nuttall whether he was "at all worried that members of, for example, the BME or gay and lesbian minority communities may feel that the title of the committee suggests it will be giving priority to the concerns of women over their concerns?"

Mr Ellis replied: "I would gently say that achieving gender equality is good for everyone."