§ Mr. Craigenasked the Paymaster General if he consulted the Equal Opportunities Commission prior to the publication of his proposals to raise the hours of work threshold for employment rights and to exempt small firms from mothers' right of return; and why he does not propose to consult now on these proposals.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNo. The chairman of the Equal Opportunities Commission has now written to my right hon. and noble Friend setting out the Commission's views on these proposals. Small firms are not and will not be exempt from the obligations to reinstate employees after maternity absence where it is reasonably practicable to do so.