§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many employees in his Department, in each year since 1979, have been allowed paternity leave under the rules set out in paragraphs 685–688 of the Civil Service pay and conditions of service code; and what was the average number of days allowed.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe code paragraphs quoted deal with the granting of special leave for domestic distress. There is no provision in the code for paternity leave as such. In certain circumstances, special leave for domestic distress may be granted to male staff under code paragraph 686(A) or (C) when serious complications have occurred in connection with a wife's confinement. No central record of special leave granted for such cases of domestic distress is kept and details could only be identified at disproportionate cost.