In both cases the idea is to "make it an offence to prevent or stop a person in charge of a child [less than 2 years old] who is otherwise permitted to be in a public place or licensed premises from feeding milk to that child in that place or on those premises" and for this purpose "feeding" expressly includes breastfeeding.

The signficance of the proposal from an employment law angle is the vicarious liability provision in clause 2 which starts off by providing that:

"Anything done by a person in the course of that person’s employment shall, in any proceedings brought under this Act, be treated for the purposes of this Act as done also by that person’s employer, whether or not it was done with the employer’s knowledge or approval".

Progress was monitored on a dedicated parliament website on progress of the Bill.

Footnote: It was reported in 2007 that a woman Councillor, Dr Lane, who was mayor of Manchester in 2005/06, had had a baby just before taking up that appointment. Greater Manchester council banned her from breast feeding in Civic cars. She sued for sex discrimination and won. The council had to pay legal costs, estimated at about £170,000 as well as £7,000 compensation Breastfeeding mayor wins sex case - BBC News 23rd August 2007.

See generally notes at Maternity/sex discrimination law aspects .