HC Deb 23 June 1998 vol 314 c474W
Mr. Rooney

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of how many women will benefit from the proposed extension of maternity leave from 14 weeks to 18 weeks. [46991]

Mr. Ian McCartney

[holding answer 22 June 1998]The extension of statutory maternity leave from 14 weeks to 18 weeks will improve the statutory right to leave for the 2.3 million women employees with less than one year's service who could choose to exercise it in the event that they become pregnant.

Mr. Rooney

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made of how many women will benefit from the proposed reduction from two years to one year in the qualifying period for extended maternity leave. [46996]

Mr. Ian McCartney

[holding answer 22 June 1998]The reduction in the qualifying period for extended maternity absence will extend this statutory right to a further 1.4 million women employees who could choose to exercise it in the event that they become pregnant. This is one of a package of family friendly policies which will also benefit families, including children, and the labour market.