§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to harmonise female employees' entitlement to maternity leave related to pay with the practice in other countries in the European Community; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthMy right hon. and learned Friend has no such plans. The Government believe that member states should be free to make their own arrangements for maternity, in accordance with national traditions and practices.
§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will lift the present restriction whereby female employees are entitled to claim maternity benefit only when they have worked for the same employer for two or more years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardI have been asked to reply.
No such restriction exists. Statutory maternity pay (SMP) is payable for 18 weeks to women who have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks at the qualifying week (the 15th week before the baby is due). Where a woman with a recent employment record has worked for her current employer for fewer than 26 weeks she will normally qualify for maternity allowance from the Department of Social Security instead of SMP from her employer.