Written question asked by David Rendel (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 24 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 27 January 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Thursday, 27 January 2005 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry;Minister for Women

Question: To ask the Minister for Women, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions regarding maternity allowance. (Failed OPQ).

Answer: Mr. Rendel: To ask the Minister for Women what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions regarding maternity allowance. [211134] Jacqui Smith: I work closely with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. The Government's 10 year strategy for child care set out our intention to extend maternity allowance as well as statutory maternity pay and statutory adoption pay to 39 weeks from April 2007 and our goal of 12 months' paid maternity leave by the end of the next Parliament. We will be publishing a further paper on these and other proposals set out in the child care strategy shortly. We will continue to work closely on this.

Secondary information