indicated assent.

indicated assent.

I beg to move amendment No. 1, in page 20, line 9, at end insert— 1A In section 106 of ERA 1996 (replacements) in subsection (2)(a) after "adoption leave" insert "or leave under section 80AA or 80BB (additional paternity leave)".'. This amendment will support employers in managing the new entitlement...

I beg to move amendment No. 1, in page 20, line 9, at end insert— 1A In section 106 of ERA 1996 (replacements) in subsection (2)(a) after "adoption leave" insert "or leave under section 80AA or 80BB (additional paternity leave)".'. This amendment will support employers in managing the new entitlement...

The hon. Lady referred to the figure of £400,000 as the cost for small businesses and made the point that it may well be much higher. Is not the issue also the rather unquantifiable time that it takes someone who is trying to cope with everything to deal with this...

The hon. Lady referred to the figure of £400,000 as the cost for small businesses and made the point that it may well be much higher. Is not the issue also the rather unquantifiable time that it takes someone who is trying to cope with everything to deal with this...

The hon. Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb) used the figure of £38 million when he explained the application of new clause 1 to 50 people.

The hon. Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb) used the figure of £38 million when he explained the application of new clause 1 to 50 people.

The Minister says that he will wait, and that is fair enough, but I believe that even he does not know the cost to small businesses—monetary and otherwise—of administering and paying for the rights created in the Bill. If he does not know that, it is fair to say that...

The Minister says that he will wait, and that is fair enough, but I believe that even he does not know the cost to small businesses—monetary and otherwise—of administering and paying for the rights created in the Bill. If he does not know that, it is fair to say that...

Will my hon. Friend give way?

Will my hon. Friend give way?

I understand that the current provision is 20 days, of which eight days are bank holidays and 12 days are holidays provided by employers. The Warwick agreement states that employers will provide 20 statutory days with eight additional bank holidays on top of that, and the Minister provided an assurance...

I understand that the current provision is 20 days, of which eight days are bank holidays and 12 days are holidays provided by employers. The Warwick agreement states that employers will provide 20 statutory days with eight additional bank holidays on top of that, and the Minister provided an assurance...

It is a privilege and honour to follow the hon. Member for Tooting (Mr. Khan) because I had the great pleasure of being a councillor with him in Wandsworth. I congratulate him on his excellent speech. Parental leave is a good thing, and that is accepted on both sides of...

It is a privilege and honour to follow the hon. Member for Tooting (Mr. Khan) because I had the great pleasure of being a councillor with him in Wandsworth. I congratulate him on his excellent speech. Parental leave is a good thing, and that is accepted on both sides of...

I will, indeed, and I am grateful, I was coming to the point that the Bill, as part of that jigsaw, is different from other pieces of legislation in at least one respect: it has the support of Her Majesty’s official Opposition. I do not mean to be churlish in...

I will, indeed, and I am grateful, I was coming to the point that the Bill, as part of that jigsaw, is different from other pieces of legislation in at least one respect: it has the support of Her Majesty’s official Opposition. I do not mean to be churlish in...

And from Conservative Members—I am sorry to have left them out. I understand why the provision to allow people to request flexible working is being phased in. The Government’s step-by-step approach is sensible, but I hope that they will be prepared to consider extending the right to everyone. This is...

And from Conservative Members—I am sorry to have left them out. I understand why the provision to allow people to request flexible working is being phased in. The Government’s step-by-step approach is sensible, but I hope that they will be prepared to consider extending the right to everyone. This is...

And from Conservative Members!

And from Conservative Members!

It is a real pleasure to speak on Third Reading to a united Chamber. There was, in fact, a broadly united Standing Committee, too. Some on the Opposition Benches would, given the new leadership of the Conservative party, like to forget the recent past, and particularly their voting record. The...

It is a real pleasure to speak on Third Reading to a united Chamber. There was, in fact, a broadly united Standing Committee, too. Some on the Opposition Benches would, given the new leadership of the Conservative party, like to forget the recent past, and particularly their voting record. The...

indicated assent.

indicated assent.

I am delighted to hear the supportive comments from Labour Members—

I am delighted to hear the supportive comments from Labour Members—

indicated assent.

indicated assent.

I see that the Minister is nodding at that. My purpose is merely to ensure that the Government consult fully with business interests on this matter. I am sure that they will, as the effect will be felt most particularly in low-paid employment such as the hospitality and cleaning industries....

I see that the Minister is nodding at that. My purpose is merely to ensure that the Government consult fully with business interests on this matter. I am sure that they will, as the effect will be felt most particularly in low-paid employment such as the hospitality and cleaning industries....

indicated assent.

indicated assent.

Absolutely. I led the campaign for compensation for women who were discharged from the armed forces when they got pregnant. Some 5,000 women were discharged simply because they became pregnant, and we should note the craziness of the resulting lost investment in their training. One of the biggest critics of...

Absolutely. I led the campaign for compensation for women who were discharged from the armed forces when they got pregnant. Some 5,000 women were discharged simply because they became pregnant, and we should note the craziness of the resulting lost investment in their training. One of the biggest critics of...

A very honourable profession.

A very honourable profession.