§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment ( I) what plans she has to amend the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 so that an employee can claim unfair dismissal because of a pregnancy without qualifying condition;
(2) what plans she has to seek to amend the law, to make the dismissal of pregnant women unlawful without qualifying condition, and to introduce 14 weeks' maternity leave, without qualifying condition.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe Government's election manifesto undertook to give effect to the provisions of the EC directive on pregnant workers which gives the right to 14 weeks' maternity leave and protection against dismissal on grounds of pregnancy. The Government will, of course, honour their manifesto commitment. However, the directive has yet to be adopted.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what recent representations she has received regarding the employment rights of pregnant women; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinSince the general election my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment has received 12 letters from Members of Parliament and Members of the European Parliament about the pregnant workers directive, including one passed to this Department from the Prime Minister's office. My right hon. Friend has also received three letters from MPs about other aspects of maternity rights. In addition, my right hon. Friend has received a number of letters from trade unions and others.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps her Department is taking to publicise to employers and employees their obligations and rights with regard to pregnant women.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe Department has published a booklet which sets out the maternity rights available to employees and the obligations of employers. The booklet is widely available at Employment Service offices. There is also a simple fact sheet on the same subject mainly intended for employers.