The poll found that 97 per cent of parents would be very interested or

The poll found that 97 per cent of parents would be "very interested" or "interested" in a paid scheme. The MP said yesterday that only 2 per cent offathers were expected to take advantage of the existing unpaid leave scheme. Although the cost of the proposed programme would be substantial, the family should, she said, be made a priority.Ms Kelly said: "If you compare it with the cost of taking a penny off the basic rate of income tax, that would cost £2bn. It is a fairly significant sum but I do think the family is a priority area for the Government."While people in higher income groups would be less attracted to the scheme because the £150 would not cover their outgoings, people with lower incomes would benefit more.If the Government's offer was dropped to £75 a week, parents would take 1.5 weeks' leave on average, she found, while at £150 per week the average would be 5.1 weeks.Mr Byers described the proposals as "a significant piece of work which will inform our consideration of this important area". However, sources said the plans would play a big part in discussions about the general election manifesto.Earlier research on the subject was endorsed last year by the House of Commons Social Security Committee, which recommended the introduction of a flat-rate payment. The Government will come under pressure from the CBI to reject the proposals, which says 72 per cent of businesses are "very worried" about parental leave.Meanwhile, new help for parents working in Parliament was at hand last night as the Employment minister, Margaret Hodge, set up a seven-strong committee to look into proposals to make the House of Commons more child-friendly.The team will also consider the question of maternity leave for MPs.

Earlier this month the Speaker, Betty Boothroyd, ruled that breast feeding would be barred in most parts of the Palace of Westminster.. William Hague has drafted in a new secret weapon in the war for members and funds - a crack team of former prime ministers, all ready to dine for their party. William Hague has drafted in a new secret weapon in the war for members and funds - a crack team of former prime ministers, all ready to dine for their party. For £1,000, says a document seen by The Independent, Conservative supporters can win the chance to eat with Margaret Thatcher, Edward Heath or John Major. A lucky few will even be invited to spend the evening with the man of the moment, William Hague.Details of the scheme became known as Tory spokesmen denied reports that party membership was at its lowest level since the First World War. At 350,000, it had grown by 25,000 under William Hague's leadership, they said.But they admitted the party was in need of money and members, and confirmed the three former premiers had been drafted in to help.For those unable to afford £1,000, the party's new Millennium Members scheme still offers generous rewards.

For £100, supporters will become "silver" members and will receive a limited edition scroll signed by each of the three former premiers and Mr Hague, plus "an exclusive photographic montage of the four leaders and a specially designed silver button pin".The "silver" members will also have their names inscribed in a Millennium Book at Conservative Central Office and in a commemorative brochure."Gold" supporters will pay at least £500 and will be invited to a champagne reception with members of the Shadow Cabinet, MPs and "other dignitaries". They will also receive the scroll, the montage and a gold button pin, and will have their names inscribed on a plaque at Central Office as well as in the Millennium brochure.The "platinum" members who have paid £1,000 will also receive a signed scroll, a photographic montage and a platinum button pin, and have their name engraved on a sculpture at Central Office, as well as seeing it in the brochure. They are also invited to contribute to party policy-making via a discussion group called Team 1000 - an offer bound to draw scorn from democracy campaigners in the party who want policy debated at annual conference.A party spokesman said it had identified 300,000 potential supporters with the right income, background and professional qualifications to be likely backers Each would get a leaflet. "What people expect for their £1,000 is the opportunity to rub shoulders with these great and good people," he said.