HC Deb 21 February 2000 vol 344 cc758-60W
Caroline Flint

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what child care provision was made available in the financial year 1998–99 for use by (i) his departmental staff and (ii) employees of executive agencies under the control of his Department; what was the cost to parents of this child care; and how many parents used the facilities. [108831]

Miss Melanie Johnson

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her by the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, on 15 February 2000,Official Report, columns 518–19W.

The information requested is in the table.

(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contract, (l) child care allowances, (m) careers' leave and (n) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [108842]

Miss Melanie Johnson

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her by the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, on 15 February 2000,Official Report, columns 519–22W.

The Chancellor's departments and agencies provide a wide range of family friendly options and alternative working patterns. All permanent staff are eligible subject to one year's service in the case of maternity leave, maternity pay and career break schemes.

Office for National Statistics HM Treasury Customs and Excise Inland Revenue (excludes VOA) 1 Debt Management Office Royal Mint
(a) Percentage of total women employed who returned to work after childbirth 210% Nil return
1999 2.4% 4% 896 women 2.7%
1998 1.3% 4.5% 614 women 4.7%
1997 1.8% 4% 472 women 5.4%
1996 2.2% 4% 3 3
1995 1.1% 3.3% 3 3
(b) Percentage of women returning to work after childbirth who returned early. Assumes 'early' means before 52 weeks 490% 3 3 3 Nil return
1999 73% mean 100% mean 18 weeks,
159 days5 range 14–17 weeks
1998 97% mean 86% mean 35 weeks,
188 days range 14–51
1997 97% mean 88% mean 15 weeks,
204 days range 14–35
1996 94% mean 3
1995 96% mean 3
203 days 3
(c) Number returning after childbirth on reduced hours 643% 3 3 3 Nil return 753%
(d) Percentage of women who returned to work full time who subsequently reduced hours 0.5% 3 3 3 Nil return 0%
Percentage of women returners currently working full-time:
1999 44% 26% 58%
1998 40% 49% 60%
1997 14% 45% 54%
1996 60% 46% 3
1995 57% 46% 3
Percentage of women returners currently working part-time:
1999 56% 74% 42%
1998 60% 51% 40%
1997 86% 55% 46%
1996 40% 54% 3
1995 43% 54% 3
1 Information has been provided on actual numbers drawn from a small sample of 2,315 records
2 Based on aggregate of last three years
3 Unable to supply figures without incurring a disproportionate cost
4 Average six months early. Range between one and nine months
5 Includes 2000–104 women still on leave
6 Average 23 hours
7 Average 22.2 hours

Caroline Flint

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the last five years, what proportion of women employees in (i) his Department and (ii) executive agencies under the control of his Department(a) returned to work after childbirth, (b) returned to work after childbirth before the end of maternity leave, indicating the (1) time-range and (2) mean time, (c) returned to work after childbirth on reduced working hours, indicating the average hours worked and (d) returned to work after childbirth full-time and subsequently reduced their hours. [109232]

Miss Melanie Johnson

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her by the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 15 February 2000,Official Report, column 519W.

The available information is given in the table.