HC Deb 25 October 1988 vol 139 c193W
89. Ms. Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of part-time workers are women; and what proportion have statutory maternity rights, at the latest available date.

Mr. Nicholls

Estimates from the 1987 labour force survey show that in spring 1987, a total of 86.3 per cent. of part-time workers were women, of whom 48.4 per cent. met the qualifying conditions for the right to return to work after maternity absence and protection against dismissal because of pregnancy. The right not to be unreasonably refused time off work for ante-natal care is available equally to part-time and full-time employees, irrespective of length of service and hours worked.