§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many of the responses to the consultation on statutory maternity allowance supported the proposals for payment of maternity allowance by employers; and how many opposed it.
§ Mr. Newton[pursuant to his reply, 2 May 1986, c 514]: Of 90 responses received, 10 were broadly favourable; these included the Social Security Advisory Committee and, with some reservations, the Equal Opportunities Commission. Twenty five expressed no overall view. Fifty five were broadly opposed; these included the CBI and the TUC. The revised proposals for the statutory maternity pay scheme sought to take account to the comments received, including in particular the concern expressed that the original proposals would have led to firms having to operate two separate schemes for income-replacement during maternity absence.