Derek McDowell (Labour)

I am clear about the general nature of the amendment but if I could make one point it will save me trying to find some other excuse to make it later. It does not refer specifically to the issue of equality the Minister talked about but another issue of equality, that is, as between both parents. It appears there is a difference in essence between adoptive leave and a mother getting leave in the case of a natural birth. It is clear there is not the same physical element of the need for recovery on the part of the mother as there is in cases of natural birth. This was an opportunity for greater equality in terms of the breakdown of the leave as between both parents or an allowance could have been made to allow the adoptive father take a greater proportion of the leave that has been allowed and which I understand must be taken by the mother. I am sorry that opportunity was not taken in the Bill.