21.—(1) In this Part—

“natal care absence”, in relation to an employee, means a period of absence from her work to which the employee is entitled in accordance with regulations under section 15; and

“protective leave” means—

(a) maternity leave;

(b) additional maternity leave;

(c) leave to which a F47[father or other parent] is entitled under subsection (1) or subsection (4) of section 16; or

(d) leave granted under section 18.

(2) Where protective leave of one description is immediately followed by protective leave of another description, the time on leave shall be treated for the purposes of this Part as one continuous period of protective leave.

F48[(3) Where—

(a) maternity leave,

(b) additional maternity leave, or

(c) leave to which a F47[father or other parent] is entitled under subsection (1) or (4) of section 16,

or part of such leave is postponed in accordance with section 14B or 16B, as may be appropriate, the time (if any) on leave before such postponement and the time on leave after such postponement shall be treated for the purposes of this Part as separate periods of protective leave.]