Written question asked by Jackie Ballard (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 6 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 March 2001. It was answered by Alan Johnson (Labour) on Monday, 12 March 2001 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how he will monitor the uptake of parental leave. - Including figure.

Answer: Jackie Ballard: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how he will monitor the uptake of parental leave. [152849] Mr. Alan Johnson: A survey of working parents conducted in June 2000 by my Department asked parents whether they had taken up parental leave since December 1999. Initial analysis of the results suggests that 3 per cent. of working parents who had babies born since 15 December 1999 had taken parental leave. A full report of the survey findings is being prepared for publication. In addition, we are piloting the monitoring of uptake of parental leave in the next Labour Force Survey.

Secondary information