§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what maternity and paternity entitlements are available to employees within his Department. [27294]
§ Mr. JackMaternity and paternity entitlements in the core department and its agencies, with the exception of the Meat Hygiene Service, follow those laid down in chapters 3.1 and 5 of the leave and attendance section of the civil service management code, a copy of which is to be found in the Library of the House. Such arrangements are provided in conjunction with the statutory entitlements available.
The majority of the staff of the MHS which was launched as an agency on 1 April 1995, transferred from local authorities. Accordingly, the agency has currently based its draft policy on local government conditions.