§ 21. Mr. MillerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the Government's policy on promotion of working practices which enable men to take an active role in the care of their children. [16015]
§ Miss WiddecombeThe Government encourage the introduction of flexible working arrangements including, for example, part-time work and job sharing which can help men and women combine employment with their family responsibilities.
§ 24. Mrs. MahonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of lone mothers with dependent children are in work; and what were the equivalent figures in 1979. [16018]
§ Miss WiddecombeThe latest estimates from the Labour Force Survey for autumn 1994 show that the numbers of lone mothers in work has risen from 350,000 to 460,000. This represents 39 per cent. of lone mothers of working age with dependent children. The equivalent figure for spring 1981—the earliest date available—is 45 per cent.
§ 28. Ms ChurchTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his response to the Employment Select Committee's first report of Session 1994–95 on mothers in employment. [16022]
§ Miss WiddecombeWe are considering the report and will respond to the Committee in due course.