26. To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what plans the Government have to extend flexible working requests to parents of children up to the age of 18 years. (116360)

In April 2003, we introduced the right to request flexible working to parents of children under six years (18 years for disabled children). From April 2007, we will extend it to carers of adults.

We are continuing to consider the case for extending the right to request flexible working to parents of older children.