§ Caroline FlintTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [109236]
§ Dr. ReidThe Civil Service as a whole is striving for an improved balance between work and family life. I understand that my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office has provided my hon. Friend with some information in respect of the family friendly policies being developed as part of the Civil Service Reform programme. My own Department 349W follows the arrangements of the former Scottish Office. Wherever possible, we try to accommodate the wishes of those who take or return from maternity leave. This includes arrangements for alternative work patterns. However, I am afraid that detailed information in the form requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.