§ Caroline FlintTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what child care provision was made available in the financial year 1998–99 for use by his departmental staff; what was the cost to parents of this child care; and how many parents used the facilities. [1088561
§ Dr. ReidThe Scottish Office provided two work place nurseries in Edinburgh. A total of 51 full-time places were available. The cost of a full-time place in 1998–99 was £79 per week. Subsidised places at holiday playschemes are also offered to staff in Edinburgh and Glasgow. These operate during the Easter and summer school holiday periods. Subsidies are paid to the playscheme operators and not directly to staff. The cost to parents varied between £5 and £7 per child per day, depending on the number of children placed there from each family. Details of the numbers of staff using the playschemes in 1998-99 are not held centrally.
§ Caroline FlintTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what provisions are made available to Departmental staff for(a) maternity leave, (b) maternity pay, (c) paternity leave, (d) parental leave, (e) flexible working hours, (f) part-time work, (g) job-sharing, (h) leave to care for sick children, (i) home-working, (j) term-time contracts, (k) annual hours contracts, (1) child care allowances, (m) careers leave and (n) career break schemes; and what criteria are used to judge eligibility in each case. [108839]
§ Dr. ReidThe Civil Service as a whole is striving for an improved balance between work and family life and a number of family friendly policies are being developed as part of the Civil Service Reform programme. Details were given in the reply from my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 15 February 2000,Official Report, column 519W. Staff in my Department are currently on loan from the Scottish Executive and we have adopted a number of provisions with them. These are:
In addition to statutory Maternity Leave/Pay an enhanced maternity scheme is available to staff who have satisfactorily completed one year's service.Fathers are allowed five days paid paternity leave at the time of the birth or during the weeks immediately following.Permanent staff may be granted up to five days paid special leave for domestic purposes, such as caring for sick children. Unpaid special leave is available in addition to this. We also comply with our obligations under the Parental Leave Directive.Most full and part-time staff can participate in the Flexible Working Hours scheme.Part-time work and Job Share opportunities are available to all staff, subject to availability.Staff with child care responsibilities have the benefit of flexible working arrangements. In addition there are two work place nurseries in Edinburgh and holiday play schemes operate during the Easter and summer holidays in Glasgow and Edinburgh.Our Career Break policy is currently being reviewed. We propose that discretionary periods of up to three years unpaid leave (five in exceptional circumstances) will be available to help staff cope with their domestic responsibilities. Permanent employees who have completed their probation and have a satisfactory record of attendance, performance and conduct will be eligible to apply.We do not operate a system of Term-time working or Annual Hours contracts. However, we would consider any requests from our staff to do so.