§ 16. Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of child minders in England and Wales.
§ Mr. EnnalsAt present there are estimated to be approximately 33,000 registered childminders in England and Wales.
§ Mr. SteenDoes the Secretary of State recognise that the growth of child minding services and other substitute services weakens the link between the mother and her child? Will he make it Government policy to strengthen the family unit by giving tax and financial incentives to allow mothers to stay at home intead of forcing them to go out to work?
§ Mr. EnnalsOf course, I want to strengthen the family links. Taxation is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I believe that good child minders who are properly supported and assisted can perform a useful function for mothers who feel that it is in their interests and in the interests of their family to go to work on a part or full-time basis. A good child minder often can provide a better, closer and more personal service than that provided by day nurseries.