HC Deb 15 February 1990 vol 167 cc385-6
11. Mr. Vaz

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further representations he has received on tax relief for workplace nurseries.

Mr. Lilley

I regret that I cannot comment on tax matters in the run-up to my right hon. Friend's budget statement.

Mr. Vaz

Will the Minister join me in congratulating those local authorities and private companies that have established workplace nurseries? Does he accept that the establishment of workplace nurseries has meant that parents, and especially women, have been able to participate to a much greater extent in those industries? Will he consult the Chancellor to see whether he can include in the Budget provisions that will exempt from taxation people who are deemed to be liable for taxation because of the subsidy that they receive for participation in those schemes?

Mr Lilley

On the first part of that supplementary question, I am happy to join the hon. Gentleman in welcoming the action of the bodies he mentioned. On the second, I am sure that the Chancellor has noted carefully what he said.

Mr. Key

I congratulate my hon. Friend on supporting workplace nurseries in the public sector. I had the pleasure of opening one for a health authority last September. However, will he have a word with the Leader of the House about the need for workplace nurseries in the Palace of Westminster? I have a problem in that within a few days of each other, both my secretary in the House of Commons and my secretary in the constituency announced that they were pregnant.

Mr. Lilley

I am sure that my hon. Friend will pass on to the ladies concerned our congratulations, as I shall to the public sector bodies that are providing the facilities that they may soon need. I shall also draw to the attention of the Leader of the House my hon. Friend's point and the impending increase in demand.