§ 23. Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy on child care in the light of the study "Caring for Children, Report of the EC Childcare Network" by Bronwen Cohen and "Childcare and Equality of Opportunity" by Peter Moss both published by the Commission of the European Communities at the end of June; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CurrieThese reports deal with child care largely from the point of view of working parents. Our view is that it is for the parents who go out to work to decide how best to care for their children. If they want or need help in this task they should make the appropriate arrangements and meet the costs.
Our objective is that there should be a range of day care services so that parents can make a choice. Public provision by local authorities should concentrate on the particular needs of children from families with health or social difficulties.