§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what child care facilities his Department provides for its employees; what facilities were provided in 1992; and how many employees have used child care facilities in each year since 1992. [6454]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotIn line with my Department's policy to provide good-quality, affordable child care for staff wherever it is cost-effective to do so, the MOD and its agencies currently provide a range of child care facilities for use by service and civilian staff. In 1992 there were three nurseries, operating in central London, Taunton and Farnborough. Today, 13 MOD nurseries offer over 500 places to children of service and civilian staff in addition to places in playgroups, creches and holiday playschemes. No record has been kept of the use of facilities since 1992, in the form requested.