Written question asked by John Bercow (Conservative) on Thursday, 7 March 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 March 2002. It was answered by Robin Cook (Labour) on Monday, 25 March 2002 on behalf of the Leader of the House of Commons.

President of the Council;Leader of the House of Commons

Question: To ask the President of the Council, what estimate he has made of the (a) financial costs and (b) benefits to his Department of the Parental Leave Directive.

Answer: Mr. Bercow: To ask the President of the Council what estimate he has made of the (a) financial costs and (b) benefits to his Department of the Parental Leave Directive. [42479] Mr. Robin Cook: Thus far, no member of staff in my Department has sought parental leave. No estimate of the financial costs has been made as these would differ according to individual circumstances. The potential benefits to the Privy Council Office of the Parental Leave Directive are considered to be: experienced staff can be retained by offering extra time away from work to care for their children; improved staff morale and performance through a better work and life balance; and improved planning of staff absences.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 42479; 382 c617W;382 c615W
Session: 2001-02
EC documents: Dir97/75/EC
Subjects: Conditions of employment Costs EU law Government departments Parental leave President of the Council
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk