A United Bermuda Party MP has challenged Government's plans to extend paternity leave to male civil servants while not legislating maternity leave for women.

Shadow Health and Social Services Minister Kim Young complained legislation for all employers concerning women's rights should be in place before addressing giving men time off for childbirth.

But Development and Opporunity Minister Terry Lister deflected the criticism, saying the legislation would come in due course. Mrs. Young said: "I would have thought Government would have brought about legislation to require the private sector to provide paid maternity leave for female employees before allowing for the fathers of children to have leave.'' She also said Government should investigate family leave policy in the US which provides for paid and unpaid leave for people with a family crisis like cancer, chronic illness as well as childbirth.

Mrs. Young also questioned whether white collar Government workers would be required to prove their paternity before being allowed to have the leave.

She also asked what rights adopters would have under the General Orders amendment, and whether leave would be tied to future maintenance payments for single men. Mr. Lister, however, would not be drawn on the issue, only saying he was "certain the day is soon coming''.

"There will be a point where we will be looking at the issue,'' Mr. Lister said. "We will look at all the issues like women's rights, to ensure that they will be given support in the law.''