HC Deb 22 October 1973 vol 861 cc401-3W
Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what information killed at work; and if he will give the figures for 1972 also.

Mr. Dudley Smith

The numbers relating to employees in employment notified to, or coming to the notice of, the various authorities are:

he has concerning the present coverage of maternity leave for women in employment as to what is the average period for maternity leave, and as to how many women are currently entitled to less than 12 weeks.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

I regret that precise information is not available about the coverage, extent and entitlement of maternity leave for women in employment generally. There is a marked difference between the arrangements which exist in the private and public sectors. In the former it is unusual to include maternity provisions in collective agreements; in the latter it is quite common practice to do so.

Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what evidence he has of women being dismissed during pregnancy or maternity leave; if he will introduce legislation to provide a minimum 12-week maternity leave with a net wage to cover both ante-natal and postnatal periods, to credit maternity leave periods for assessing pensions and contributory benefits, to entitle pregnant women to time off with pay to attend a hospital or clinic during pregnancy, to grant sick leave during pregnancy on production of a medical certificate, and to entitle nursing mothers in employment to time off to feed their babies.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

I regret that comprehensive information is not available about women dismissed during pregnancy or maternity leave. The unfair dismissal provisions of the Industrial Relations Act are available in the same way to women who are dismissed in these circumstances as to any employees dismissed in other circumstances.

The Government have no proposals for the introduction of legislation along the lines suggested.