§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Attorney-General what provision his Department makes for child care facilities for staff; what subsidy is provided for(a) nursery places and (b) holiday play schemes; if he will list the organisations used by his Department for child care; and if child care vouchers are made available to staff. [30023]
The Attorney-GeneralThe provision made by my Departments is as follows:
The Treasury Solicitor's Department and the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers
The Treasury Solicitor's Department makes provision, also open to staff in my own office, for the children of its staff to use the Westminster Holiday Playscheme. This scheme is run on behalf of the Cabinet Office. The Department meet half the daily cost of attendance.No subsidy is provided for nursery places nor are child care vouchers made available.The Government Properly Lawyers
The Government Property Lawyers Agency avails itself of similar arrangements. The children of staff are able to use a holiday play scheme organised and run by Crown Departments in Taunton. Child care vouchers are not made available.The Serious Fraud Office
The Serious Fraud Office does not provide child care facilities or subsidies. However, if parents are required to make a temporary change to their normal working routine, for example, if an investigator is required to be away from home overnight or for a more protracted period, the practice is to reimburse them for the additional cost of child care.The Crown Prosecution Service
The Crown Prosecution Service provides no child care facilities or creches at any of its premises. Financial support, through subsidies, is provided to staff who meet certain eligibility criteria towards the cost of:
- (a) child care for infants below school age; and
- (b) school age children attending after-school clubs and holiday play schemes.
These facilities are provided by numerous organisations throughout the Service's Areas.The amount of the subsidy, up to a maximum of 50%, is calculated by reference to the individual's salary and the level of costs incurred. Child care vouchers are not currently provided.