§ Ms. ArmstrongTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the brief provided to the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys for the study of child care needs; and how long he anticipates the research to take before it is completed.
§ Mr. FreemanThe survey being carried out by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys is designed to obtain a detailed picture of the arrangements parents make for the care of children under eight. The pattern of attendance at day nurseries, nursery schools and classes, primary schools and playgroups will be covered as will the use of child minders, relatives and friends to look after the children, inside and outside the home. Parents will be asked to express satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the arrangements and to say whether the arrangements represent their first choice. The survey will also collect information about the stability of arrangements. Questions will also be asked about attendance at clubs, etc. a fter school and arrangements made during school holidays.
The pilot survey work was carried out by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys in October; the main fieldwork stage is planned for October-December 1990, in order to obtain accurate and recent data about the summer holidays. The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys expects to have completed the main part of the analysis about a year after the main fieldwork stage.
I would be happy to give the hon. Member further details, if she considers that would be helpful.