HL Deb 08 November 1989 vol 512 cc733-4

47 After Clause 16 insert the following new clause—

'Review of provision for day care, child minding etc.

. —(1) Every local authority in England and Wales shall review—

  1. (a) the provision which they make under section 16;
  2. (b) the extent to which the services of child minders are available within their area with respect to children under the age of eight; and
  3. (c) the provision for day care within their area made for children under the age of eight by persons other than the authority required to register under section (registration)(1)(b).

(2) A review under subsection (1) shall be conducted—

  1. (a) together with the appropriate local education authority; and
  2. (b) at least once in every review period.

4 p.m.

The Lord Chancellor

My Lords, this imposes a duty on local authorities in England and Wales to review the day care services made by them in accordance with duties and powers given them under Clause 16 —those provided by registered childminders and other day care services provided by registered persons. The review is to be carried out once every three years together with t he appropriate local education authority and it shall have regard to services provided for children aged under eight in maintained schools, community homes, voluntary homes, children's homes, nursing homes and National Health Service hospitals. The result of the review is to be published by the local authority as soon as practicable in whatever form it chooses and it should include information about proposals affecting the day care services reviewed. The authorities carrying out the review are also to have regard to representations from the relevant health authorities and other persons and organisations.

I believe that this again is in accordance with the wishes of the House. These proposals should lead to a better co-ordination of services for children before they reach compulsory school age and in their first years at primary school. I beg to move.

Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in the said amendment. —(The Lord Chancellor.)

Baroness David

My Lords, again I welcome the amendment. However I am sorry to say that I did not spot the age of eight years. We tried to change it to 11 years in later amendments and clearly it is a point which we missed. I should prefer to have seen the age of 11, but it is too late to do anything about it now.

On Question, Motion agreed to.