§ Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list recent measures to encourage mothers to return to work; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. JacksonWhile recognising that returning to work must be a matter of personal choice for the woman concerned, my colleagues and I take every opportunity to encourage employers to adopt working practices to make it easier for employees to combine work and family responsibilities. This means more flexibility in hours of work and leave arrangements, job-sharing, career breaks, part-time working and, where appropriate, help with childcare costs.