§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision his Department makes for child care facilities for staff; what is the extent of subsidy to nursery places and holiday playschemes; if his Department(a) subscribes to "Childcare Solutions" and (b) makes child care vouchers available; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AitkenAt present, my Department has seven workplace nurseries and seven holiday play schemes, although a further three nurseries are planned.
Responsibility for the provision of child care facilities is delegated to individual budget holders and subsidy arrangements may vary. In some cases this is restricted to a contribution to capital and indirect running costs such as Maintenance, heating and lighting, while in others a 265W contribution is also made to the direct running costs—mainly staff and consumables. The contribution to direct costs varies according to local market rates for nursery places and those using the facility.
My Department does not subscribe to "Childcare Solutions", or make child care vouchers available.
It is our policy to increase the provision of child care facilities wherever possible. Budget holders are encouraged to set up new child care facilities for staff where there is sufficient demand and where they can be justified on value for money grounds.