Keighley's MP Ann Cryer has challenged the Home Secretary Jack Straw about the plight of the Silsden women struggling to achieve equality at the Sunnybank Social Club.

Speaking during a debate on the white paper 'Proposals for the Modernisation of Our Licensing Laws', Mrs Cryer (pictured) questioned whether clubs such as Sunnybank will continue to have a special status.

Mrs Cryer's comments come after the Silsden club's committee made changes to their rules to ban women from becoming committee members. Section (b) of rule 33 was deleted when the committee realised it put men and women on an equal footing.

In Monday's debate she asked: "Would Mr Straw consider requiring a link between workingmen's clubs' special status and their conversion into either working women's and men's clubs or working people's clubs?"

Mrs Cryer continued: "A club at Silsden in my constituency has used every trick in the book to keep women off its committee. That is not only sexist but also undemocratic."

Mr Straw replied the special licensing arrangement for non-profit making clubs would remain and said Mrs Cryer's comments had been noted.

Later Mrs Cryer said "The Sunnybank Club should sharpen up their act and come into the 21st century."

Under Government proposals contained in the white paper Bradford Council would be responsible for granting Sunnybank Social Club its license.

If the proposals become law club members and opponents will have the right to appeal against the granting of the licence and could also appeal to the Crown Courts. Conditions could be imposed on the licence.

Bernard Clark, a former Sunnybank committee member, along with fellow Sunnybank members Mick Sutton and Laurie Sloan, had his membership rescinded following requests for women to be allowed full membership. He says he welcomes Mrs Cryer's comments.

The men are involved in a lengthy appeal process against the committee's decision.

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