§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consideration is being given by his Department to equal enitlement to employers' sick-pay schemes for married women; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. OrmeMy Department has no direct responsibility for the terms or scope of employers' sick-pay schemes. This is primarily a matter for negotiation between employers and employees or their unions. The Department of Employment has the major Government interest in questions concerning terms and conditions of employment, including the Equal Pay and Sex Discrimination Acts. We do, however, collect information from time to time about sick-pay schemes, and a report on the most recent survey is now being prepared.