HC Deb 16 June 1999 vol 333 c147W
Mr. Bob Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what paternity provision is available for members of the armed forces(a) as a general right and (b) when there is medical advice that the health of the mother and baby, pre or post natal, requires the presence of the father. [86735]

Mr. Spellar

There is currently no national legal requirement to provide paternity leave and my Department has no policy to provide special leave for Service fathers. However, as a good employer, the Services seek, whenever possible, to grant a serviceman annual leave (or compassionate leave if appropriate) before or after childbirth. Operational commitments may, on occasions, make it impossible for every serviceman to be released from his duties.