Parental Leave (Hansard, 12 December 2000)

§ Ms Kelly
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the findings of the Department's research into the impact of parental leave provisions on multinationals operating outside Britain, which he commissioned as part of the review of parental leave. [142025]

§ Mr. Alan Johnson
The Government have published an account of the research and analysis underpinning the Green Paper 'Work and Parents, Competitiveness and Choice'. This draws upon two surveys commissioned by the Department to support the review although neither considers the impact of parental leave provisions on multinationals operating outside Britain. The full survey results will be published in Spring 2001.
The published research and analysis paper is available on the Internet at: www.dti.gov.uk/er/review.htm.

§ Ms Kelly
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research he has undertaken to identify the primary factors which influence decisions by women to return to work following a period of maternity leave. [141959]

§ Mr. Alan Johnson
Research evidence is summarised in the research and analysis paper published to accompany the Green Paper 'Work and Parents, Competitiveness and Choice' on pages 22 to 33. This suggests that the primary factors influencing the decision of women to return to work are the type of employer and job they had before childbirth. The timing of their return is influenced by financial considerations and childcare.
The research and analysis paper is available on the Internet at: www.dti.gov.uk/er/review.htm.