HC Deb 23 May 2000 vol 350 cc470-1W
Mr. Edwards

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to allow adoptive parents entitlement to parental leave. [123230]

Mr. Alan Johnson

[holding answer 22 May 2000]: The Maternity and Parental Leave etc. Regulations 1999, which came into effect on 15 December 1999, entitle adoptive parents to 13 weeks unpaid parental leave.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Department of Trade and Industry made an announcement on 9 May setting out the details of a review looking at the issues surrounding maternity pay and parental leave. The review will look at increasing adoption and whether rights to adoption leave are being taken up.

Mr. Edwards

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the subject of entitlement to(a) statutory maternity and (b) parental leave for parents adopting a child. [123229]

Mr. Alan Johnson

[holding answer 22 May 2000]: The Department received 107 responses to the 1998 "Fairness at Work" White Paper proposal to provide adoptive parents with three months parental leave. Of these, 104 respondents agreed with Government's proposal.

The Maternity and Parental Leave consultation in summer 1999 invited views on the Government's detailed proposals for framing parental leave for adoptive parents. Over 200 responses were received on this subject, over three-quarters of which supported the proposals.

The Department has also received about 20 letters on adoption leave since 1999.

In addition to these representations we have discussed this issue with representatives of key adoption organisations.