§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of mothers with children aged from one day to one year are in full-time work; what are the latest percentage figures for mothers with children between one and two years of age, two and three years of age, three and four years of age, and four and five years of age who are in full-time work; and if he will give the percentage of mothers who have taken up employment again following the birth of a child under the new maternity leave scheme.
§ Mr. GoldingIt is not possible to answer the Question in precisely the form requested. In 1977, it is estimated from the EEC labour force survey that, in Great Britain, approximately one-fifth of mothers with the youngest child under three years of age and one-third of mothers with the youngest child aged over 203W three but under five years of age were in either full-time or part-time employment.
No information is available on the proportion of women having a statutory right to return to work, under the maternity provisions of the Employment Protection Act who exercise this right.