HC Deb 16 January 1989 vol 145 cc52-3W
132. Mr. Gerald Bowden

To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what steps he is taking to improve child care facilities for civil servants.

Mr. Luce

The Civil Service is developing child care facilities to help staff deal with work and domestic responsibilities, thereby putting it in a position to compete with other employers in recruiting and retaining skilled and experienced staff who will be in short supply as a result of the demographic changes in the 1990s. Some nursery facilities for under-fives are among the schemes under consideration. A number of holiday playschemes for school age children are already in operation and more are planned. An interdepartmental scheme will start in central London in the spring. There are also some local departmental schemes to help parents find good childminders. My officials are providing practical advice to Departments where required.