§ Mr. LeightonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the Government's plans for work force child care.
§ Mr. NichollsThe Government believe that child care is a matter for parental choice and that it is best left to employers and employees to decide which arrangements for combining work and family responsibilities best suit their individual needs and resources.
The Government take every opportunity to encourage employers to adopt flexible working practices, including assistance with child care and the introduction of flexible working hours and family leave.
Workplace nurseries are one possible way of helping parents with child care, but may not always be the most practicable solution. Other possibilities include help with child care costs in the local home area and rearrangement of working hours and holidays to fit in with school hours and terms.
421WThe Government have also taken steps to encourage the growth of child care provision to assist working parents through the ministerial group on women's issues of which I am a member. The group recently announced a five-point plan designed to pave the way for the provision of child care to suit family needs. Work on this plan is progressing.