§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will set out the principal regulations governing women returning to work after childbirth, in each region of the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe principal legislation giving qualifying women a right to return to work after maternity absence is contained in the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act 1978 for Great Britain and in the Industrial Relations (No. 2) (Northern Ireland) Order 1976. In addition, the Public Health Act 1936 for England and Wales, the Factories Act 1961 for Scotland and the Factories Act (Northern Ireland) 1965 prohibit the employment of a woman in a factory within four weeks of giving birth to a child.
The Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Bill will provide important new rights for all women employees to take 14 weeks' maternity leave. When enacted, the relevant provisions will be brought into effect in Northern Ireland by Order in Council under the negative resolution procedure.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals Her Majesty's Government have to increase female availability for work.
§ Mr. McLoughlinMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made clear her intention to ensure that women are able to play as full a role as possible in the world of work. In Manchester on 20 January my right hon. Friend launched a series of regional events entitled "New Horizons for Women" to promote the whole range of opportunities open to women, including employment and training. The flexibility built in to many employment service and training and enterprise council programmes are ideally suited to the needs of women who wish to combine work with other responsibilities and our new out of school child care grant will particularly benefit women who wish to resume work after their children start school.