Parental Leave (Hansard, 7 March 2001)

§ Jackie Ballard
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to give mothers and fathers the right to work reduced hours after the birth of a child. [152279]

§ Mr. Alan Johnson
The Green Paper "Work and Parents: Competitiveness and Choice", published by the Government in December 2000, sets out a number of options to help parents balance their family and work responsibilities. It includes three options on a right to work reduced hourswhether there should be a right for mothers to work reduced hours during the period of maternity leave, whether fathers should have a right to work reduced hours during the period of maternity leave, or whether both parents should have a right to work reduced hours when the mother's maternity leave ends.
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The options included the fact that the impact on employers would be minimised through giving employers the right to refuse requests if to grant them would unduly disrupt the business and an exemption for employers of a certain size.
The Green Paper makes it clear that not all options can be pursued. Employers, large and small, and parents have been invited to indicate which options are of greatest priority to them. The closing date for comments is 7 March 2001. Responses to the consultation are being considered carefully.

§ Jackie Ballard
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to introduce flexible paid parental leave. [152282]

§ Mr. Alan Johnson
The Green Paper "Work and Parents: Competitiveness and Choice", published by the Government in December 2000, sets out a number of options to help parents balance their family and work responsibilities. It invites views on whether paid parental leave should be introduced, although it notes that the cost to employers and the State of doing so would be considerable. Another option is whether funding should be available to help employers develop more flexible parental leave schemes.
The Green Paper makes it clear that not all options can be pursued. Employers, large and small, and parents have been invited to indicate which options are of greatest priority to them. The closing date for comments is 7 March 2001. Responses to the consultation are being considered carefully.