Work and Families Bill

I, too, support the amendment. As I was walking down to the House this morning, I was wondering what I would say in its support. As I passed Westminster School, a gangling boy of about 16 passed me in the opposite direction. As I walked on, I found myself wondering what his hopes and dreams were as he began to confront the adult world. Then the thought came to me that those hopes and dreams are in our hands, or at least the hopes and dreams of children born today and in the future are in our hands. I shall not repeat what my noble friend Lord Listowel said about the importance of bonding in the early years because I am sure we are all conscious of it. But this is an area where we should not be penny-pinching. Even if this is a bit of a bribe to mothers to take more leave and be with their child, surely it is a good investment. I support the amendment.