HC Deb 11 November 1999 vol 337 c725W
Ms Harman

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice he received from the European Commission when he discussed with it excluding parents of children under five years old but born before 15 December 1999 from the new rights to parental leave; and what legal advice he obtained on the subject. [98241]

Mr. Byers

The Government's discussions with the European Commission cover a wide range of issues. In discussing the extension of the Parental Leave Directive to the UK, we agreed to implement it by 15 December this year, which we are doing through the Maternity and Parental Leave Regulations, in line with our legal advice.

Ms Harman

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he has discussed excluding parents of children aged under five years but born before 15 December 1999 from the new right to parental leave with the European Commission. [98096]

Mr. Alan Johnson

The Parental Leave Directive is based on a Social Chapter agreement which was concluded by the Social Partners. The Directive was adopted by the other member states in June 1996, before the UK opted in to the Social Chapter. The UK Government were not therefore able to influence the discussions and negotiations which led to the conclusion of this Directive. As incoming Government in 1997, we undertook to implement the Directive by 15 December 1999.

Ms Harman

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he took legal advice about excluding parents of children aged under five years but born before 15 December 1999 from the new right to parental leave; and what advice he was given. [98090]

Mr. Alan Johnson

The Government are implementing the Parental Leave Directive in accordance with legal advice. The Directive is required to be implemented by 15 December this year.