§ 28. Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the House of Commons Commission how many child care vouchers have been issued since their inauguration; at what cost; and if he will make a statement. [24747]
§ Mr. BeithThere have been 6, 984 child care vouchers issued to 52 employees in the first year of the scheme's operation. The scheme was introduced by the Commission for its staff as part of its policy of equal opportunity employment. The policy was reviewed at the end of March this year, and the views of users and the trade union side were sought as a part of that review. The review's outcome showed that the vast majority of users were satisfied with the scheme, which is meeting their needs by making a wide choice of child care facilities at convenient locations accessible to them. Some suggestions for minor changes in the scheme will be considered by the management.
§ Mr. GreenwayI am most grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for that comprehensive reply. Can he tell us how the Commission views the scheme's future? Does it cover hon. Members, or only staff of the House? Are there sufficient qualified child carers available to meet the possible demand by House staff or those who qualify for the vouchers? It has been suggested that some staff have difficulty finding qualified child minders.
§ Mr. BeithThe survey showed that many of our staff are able to find suitable means of using the vouchers and that the vouchers are popular with them. Whether the scheme will be extended to hon. Members' staff will depend partly on hon. Members—who can, if they wish, use the office costs allowance for that purpose—and partly on the Leader of the House and whether there is any demand for an extension of the allowance for that purpose or for the extension of the scheme to the children of hon. Members.