§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what maternity and paternity entitlements are available to employees within his Department. [27290]
§ Miss WiddecombeThe Employment Department, the Health and Safety Executive and the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service follow the maternity and paternity arrangements and entitlements set out in the civil service management code, a copy of which is available in the Library. Women in those organisations are entitled to three months and one week's paid maternity leave. A woman who qualifies for paid maternity leave is also entitled to unpaid maternity leave, but the total period of paid and unpaid maternity leave must not exceed 52 weeks. These arrangements are provided in conjunction with the statutory entitlements available. There is also a two-day entitlement to paid paternity leave for permanent male staff. The Employment Service also follows the arrangements in the code with the exception that permanent male staff in that organisation are entitled to five days' paid paternity leave.