17 December 2003

Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) Bill

The Campaign for Socialism welcomes the publication of the Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) to the Scottish Parliament. We are particularly pleased that it places a responsibility on the owner of premises to make it possible for mothers to feed children as they see fit by making it an offence to prevent or stop a child who is allowed to be in a public place or licensed premises from being fed milk in that place or on those premises.

By doing this the Bill challenges decades of sexism in Scottish society by recognising the right of women to feed children as and how they see fit, when they see fit, where they see fit.

The Bill also actively encourages breast feeding as an effective way of ensuring the health of future generations by requiring Scottish Ministers to make arrangements for supporting and encouraging breastfeeding and giving Scottish Ministers the power to disseminate information promoting and encouraging breastfeeding.

ENDS

Contact: Vince Mills on 0781 461 5224 or Elaine Smith MSP on 01236 449 122