Pregnant Women (Hansard, 21 January 1994)

§ Mr. Martlew
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimates he has of the amount of money that will be spent in 1993–94 and 1994–95 in compensation to women who had to leave the armed forces because they became pregnant; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Hanley
It is not possible to estimate reliably the amount of money that will be spent in 1993–94 and 1994–95 in compensation to women who were compulsorily discharged from the services on grounds of pregnancy between 9 August 1978 and August 1990.

§ Mr. Martlew
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many women in each year since 1980 who left the forces because they became pregnant subsequently rejoined the forces; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Hanley
My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member.

§ Mr. Martlew
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many women have left each of the armed forces in each year since 1980 because they became pregnant; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Hanley
The numbers of women who left the Armed Forces in each year since 1980 because they became pregnant, are as follows:
937W

Female officers Non-commissioned females

Financial year Royal Navy Army Royal Air Force Royal Navy Army Royal Air Force Total

1990–91 3 17 12 60 167 124 383

1991–92 4 17 15 78 177 140 431

1992–93 3 16 18 85 204 112 438

Notes:
1. Actual figures for the numbers of female officers leaving on pregnancy are not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate effort. The figures provided are therefore estimates based on the percentage of non-commissioned females leaving on pregnancy.
2. Prior to August 1990, service women who became pregnant were compulsorily discharged. In August 1990, maternity leave was introduced and pregnant service women could choose whether to leave or take maternity leave. The figures for 1990–91 cover both those who were compulsorily discharged prior to August 1990 and those who opted to leave after that date.

§ Mr. Martlew
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Ministry has had with the Equal Opportunities Commission about conditions covering women employed in the forces who became pregnant; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Hanley
There have been no formal discussions about conditions for service women who became pregnant between my Department and the Equal Opportunities Commission. The commission was, however, made aware in 1990 of the introduction of maternity leave for servicewomen.

§ Mr. Martlew
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been spent in compensation to women who had to leave the armed forces because they became pregnant; how many women have received compensation; what is the(a) maximum, (b) minimum and (c) average amount paid; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Hanley
A total of £7,822,943 has so far been paid in compensation to women who were compulsorily discharged from the armed forces on grounds of pregnancy between August 1978 and August 1990 when maternity leave was introduced. Compensation has been paid to 1,679 claimants. The average amount paid is £4,659. The maximum awarded by a tribunal is £172,921—but this will be the subject of an appeal by the MOD to the employment appeals tribunal. The minimum payment has been for £500.

Department Compensation paid From To

(nearest £000)

British Rail 4,427 April 1992 30 November 1993

London Underground 184 August 1992 7 January 1994

Northern Ireland Railways 2 November 1992 19 January 1994

HM Customs and Excise 14 January 1992 31 December 1993

Benefits Agency 4,071 April 1992 March 1993

Contributions Agency¹ 76 April 1991 March 1993

Employment Service 89 April 1992 March 1993

Department of Health and Social Services, Northern Ireland1 520 April 1991 20 January 1994

¹ These figures represent payments made from April 1991, four months before the Contributions Agency and Northern Ireland Social Security Agency charters were introduced.

In addition, in the financial year 1992–93 the Inland Revenue paid £389,000 in compensation for "serious error" as defined in the code of practice "Mistakes by the Inland Revenue"; and between January 1992 and 31 December 1993 HM Customs and Excise paid £532,000 in repayment supplements.
The privatised utilities also compensate customers for failure to meet service standards. Details of payments are not held centrally.
938W

Female officers	Non-commissioned females
Financial year	Royal Navy	Army	Royal Air Force	Royal Navy	Army	Royal Air Force	Total
1990–91	3	17	12	60	167	124	383
1991–92	4	17	15	78	177	140	431
1992–93	3	16	18	85	204	112	438

Department	Compensation paid	From	To
	(nearest £000)
British Rail	4,427	April 1992	30 November 1993
London Underground	184	August 1992	7 January 1994
Northern Ireland Railways	2	November 1992	19 January 1994
HM Customs and Excise	14	January 1992	31 December 1993
Benefits Agency	4,071	April 1992	March 1993
Contributions Agency¹	76	April 1991	March 1993
Employment Service	89	April 1992	March 1993
Department of Health and Social Services, Northern Ireland1	520	April 1991	20 January 1994
¹ These figures represent payments made from April 1991, four months before the Contributions Agency and Northern Ireland Social Security Agency charters were introduced.