§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what pay will be provided for employees by central Government during the 14 weeks of maternity leave laid down under section 20 of the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Bill;
(2) what will the employer's financial responsibility be for maternity pay for the 14 weeks of maternity leave laid down under section 20 of the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Bill.
§ Mr. ScottSection 20 of the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Bill implements the maternity leave provisions of the EC directive on the protection of pregnant women at work. We are considering the directive's implications for maternity benefits and will make an announcement in due course.