§ Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whether he will introduce legislation to permit all fathers to have at least 10 days' paid paternity leave in accordance with the recommendations of the Equal Opportunities Commission;
49W(2) whether he will introduce legislation to prohibit employers deducting leave taken by fathers so as to be with their wives and babies during and after childbirth from their annual holiday;
(3) whether he will make a statement on the Government's attitude to paternity leave in the light of the report of the Equal Opportunities Commission.
§ Mr. GummerI have read the Equal Opportunities Commission's proposals with interest but have no immediate plans for legislation in this field. Paternity leave is a matter more for individual negotiation and agreement between employee and employer.