§ Ms. RichardsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what child care provision his Department provides for pre-school age children of his Department's employees; what child care provision, for school holiday or after school care, is provided for employees' children aged five years and over; and what plans there are for increasing provision in the next five years; and how these are to be funded.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonA successful holiday play scheme was held at one location last summer and is planned to be repeated for a longer period this summer. The success of the play scheme was notified to all staff in the Department and locations interested in arranging similar or other types of child care arrangements were offered help, advice and encouragement to do so. The Department is also participating in a holiday play scheme in the Westminster area of London which is intended to operate during half-term and end of term holidays throughout 1989. Pump-priming funds have been made available and continue to be available for child care schemes.