Charles Walker calls for fairness and more notice to be given to temporary workers who are brought in to replace mothers on maternity leave.

Mr. Walker: Will there be a requirement for notice or any form of redundancy payment to be given to an individual being dismissed when a women returns from maternity leave? What period of notice and conditions will be attached to that dismissal?

Meg Munn: The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the Bill extends the notice that women returning from maternity leave give to their employer, enabling the employer to give more notice to the replacement employee. My understanding is that there will not be issues of redundancy as this is not a redundancy situation.

Mr. Walker: A woman returning to work could say, "I'll be coming back in two or three months". Will there be a requirement for the employer to notify the temporary employee that they will be moving on? It would be fair for the temporary employee to have as much notice as possible that they will not required in future.

Meg Munn: My understanding is that nothing in the Bill changes the current arrangements, and clearly the employer has to follow the correct procedures. Having the extended notice helps the replacement employee. They need to be told at the outset that they are a replacement and that they will finish at that point. The proper procedures should be followed. I hope that that reassures the hon. Gentleman.

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