HL Deb 07 November 1991 vol 532 cc317-9

The Viscount of Falkland asked The Chairman of Committees:

Whether, in view of all party acceptance that workplace crèches are desirable, there are any proposals to provide a crèche for the children of those working in the Palace of Westminster.

The Chairman of Committees (Lord Aberdare)

My Lords, I understand that a feasibility study of the provision of a childcare facility is being undertaken for the House of Commons (Services) Committee, which has approved in principle the provision of such a facility. Further action depends on the identification of possible suitable accommodation.

The Viscount of Falkland

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply. Does he agree that a sense of urgency on the part of all concerned is needed following the Prime Minister's recent positive remarks on Opportunity 2,000? Any research on the number of people likely to use such a facility in the Palace of Westminster should be conducted extremely speedily as in another place pressure has been applied for such a facility. In another place there are 200 research staff and secretaries, most of whom are women who, either now or in the future, may need such a facility. I do not know whether the same can be said for this House, but even if 50 crèche places were required by people in this House that still justifies an urgent consideration of this matter.

Lord Aberdare

My Lords, I agree that there is greater pressure for a crèche on the part of people in another place than is the case in this House. I am sure that personnel in another place appreciate that this matter is urgent. We are keeping in close touch with progress made in another place, but the most important factor is to find suitable accommodation for the crèche before we try to discover how high the demand for it will be. If we do not have suitable accommodation for the crèche we cannot make much progress. However, steps are being taken to find the accommodation.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

My Lords, what progress has been made in finding suitable accommodation? We appreciate that there are many calls on available accommodation in the Palace of Westminster. Further, will the noble Lord bear in mind the fact that we are not merely talking about Members of another place or Members of this House but also about the many hundreds of members of staff who work in the Palace of Westminster? I hope the noble Lord will remember that if this is the mother of Parliaments, we should consider the mothers in Parliament.

Lord Aberdare

My Lords, the House of Commons (Services) Committee has asked the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee in another place, in consultation with the New Building Sub-Committee, to take steps to identify possible suitable accommodation for this childcare facility. We are rather in their hands as the accommodation at this end of the corridor is far tighter than at the other end. The New Building Sub-Committee might well be able to make some suggestions on this matter. I fully agree with the final point of the noble Lord. This facility is being provided mainly in view of staff requirements.

Lord Harmar-Nicholls

My Lords, I agree that there may be a case for providing a crèche in certain circumstances, but as regards the research staff, to which the noble Viscount, Lord Falkland, referred, are there not too many researchers wandering around the corridors of Westminster?

Lord Aberdare

My Lords, the Question on the Order Paper does not address that matter.

Lord Jenkins of Hillhead

My Lords, there may or may not be too many researchers. However, I am glad, in spite of a certain incipient hilarity in the House, that the noble Lord, Lord Aberdare—as I would have expected—took this matter seriously; as was illustrated by his initial reply. The more one considers the advance, at once considerable and incomplete, made towards women's equality over the past 20 years, the more it strikes one that the biological barrier is a substantial barrier to full career development.

Lord Aberdare

My Lords, I fully agree with the comments of the noble Lord, Lord Jenkins. There is one aspect of this matter that is worthy of consideration; that is, in many cases young mothers may prefer to find a crèche or similar facility near where they live rather than bring young children into the centre of London in the rush hour.

Baroness Denton of Wakefield

My Lords, does my noble friend accept that the word "parent" is not a female noun? I hope that gentlemen on the staff may be allowed to use this facility too.

Lord Aberdare

My Lords, I am sure that matter will be considered carefully when the time comes.

The Viscount of Falkland

My Lords, does the noble Lord agree that I would not have had to table this Question in the first place if there had been adequate facilities at local level? Such facilities exist in France, West Germany, Belgium, Holland and other European countries. I believe in this country, according to recent statistics, only about 30 per cent. of mothers benefit from such facilities, whereas in France the figure is about 95 per cent.

Lord Aberdare

My Lords, I take the point made by the noble Viscount.

Baroness Strange

My Lords, if such a facility became available, would it also be available to grandparents in this House on a temporary basis?

Lord Aberdare

My Lords, that matter would also have to be discussed between the two Houses.

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