§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
For what reason they consider that the introduction of paternity benefit would be "inappropriate", as stated in paragraph 14 of their response to the First Report of the House of Commons Select Committee on Employment.
§ Lord InglewoodThe Government firmly believe that it would be inappropriate to legislate for paternity leave because to do so would jeopardise the wide range of voluntary leave arrangements already in place in the UK, increase employers' costs, place further burdens on employers and in the end cost jobs. Paternity leave can be considered at the workplace as part of the overall package of pay and benefits.