MP 'forever indebted' to Yorkshire colleague for parental bereavement bill support

Will Quince, whose son was stillborn full term in October 2014, said he would be "forever indebted" to his colleague Kevin Hollinrake (Thirsk and Malton) for bringing forward the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill.

The private member's bill, which has Government support, brings forward proposals previously moved by Mr Quince (Colchester).

It aims to create a legal entitlement to paid parental bereavement leave of at least two weeks.

Mr Quince praised Mr Hollinrake for agreeing to develop the measures despite various other campaigns and causes putting ideas before him.

Mr Quince, speaking during the Bill's second reading, told the Commons: "I picked up the phone and he didn't hesitate in saying yes, and I cannot thank him enough.

"For anybody that's gone through the experience of child loss, you want to make sure that your child's life - however short - meant something, that a difference was made because of it."

Mr Quince's voice cracked as he added: "You enabled that so I'm forever indebted to you. Thank you Kevin.

"This Bill is going to make a difference. For those families it gives them certainty - they don't have to ask that awkward question when they go into work having suffered that tragedy for that time off.

"It's going to make a difference to so many people and before I get too emotional I just want to say please support this Bill."

Mr Quince shook hands with Mr Hollinrake after concluding his speech.

The Bill's chances of success are heightened by the fact that it seeks to implement measures contained in the Conservative Party manifesto.

Prime Minister Theresa May earlier tweeted "well done" to Mr Quince, Mr Hollinrake and their Tory colleagues, Antoinette Sandbach (Eddisbury) and Victoria Prentis (Banbury), for their "hard work" in bringing forward the Bill.

Ms Sandbach, who lost her five-day-old son Sam in 2009, told the Commons: "This is a day that will change the lives of many, many parents and the research is clear - unfortunately - that parents do suffer post-traumatic stress disorder.

"That is being looked into and it's very clear that can be a consequence of losing a child and the medical research is showing that.

"To have that statutory right to protection is incredibly important."

Mr Hollinrake gave examples of why the law change is needed, telling MPs: "For instance, the parent who told us about their employer - an NHS body - who, following the sudden passing away of their youngest daughter, offered them only five days' leave, with any additional time having to be taken as annual leave."

Mr Quince said his inbox is full of cases where people have been treated "horrendously", adding: "Only this morning ... somebody sent me an email to say they were told they had to take a day's holiday to attend their child's funeral. It's totally unacceptable."

Labour's Karen Lee (Lincoln) said: "I lost my daughter a few years ago; she was an adult but I'd think I'd just say it's something you never get over - you just get used to it, you live with it.

"I was employed by United Lincolnshire healthcare trust and I had a phased return to work, and they were just marvellous.

"I can't ever thank them enough and it just makes such a difference having that chance to grieve."