asked Her Majesty's Government:What extra manpower has had to be employed in the Department of Employment to administer maternity pay, and how many civil servants are involved in such administration.

The Department of Employment employ 73 civil servants on the administration of the maternity pay provisions of the Employment Protection Act 1975.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Why maternity pay is administered by the Department of Employment when for all other maternity matters women deal with the DHSS.

Maternity pay is paid by employers who are then eligible to claim refunds. It is not a national insurance benefit, but an employment right, based on qualifying conditions common to other such rights administered by the Department of Employment.