§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what provision his Department makes for child care facilities for staff; what is the extent of subsidy to nursery places and holiday play schemes; if his Department(a) subscribes to Childcare Solutions and (b) makes child care vouchers available; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Eggar[holding answer 7 July 1994]: My Department aims to promote a culture where managers are understanding of the need for staff to balance work and child care responsibilities and is committed to exploring child care schemes which give value for money.
The DTI provides school holiday play scheme places, and certain of its executive agencies provide nursery places, at subsidies of between 40 and 50 per cent. The DTI neither subscribes to Childcare Solutions nor provides its staff with child care vouchers.