§ Ms. RichardsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what child care provision his Department provides for pre-school age children of the 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.
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§ Mr. ForthThe Department of Trade and Industry is considering arrangements for workplace child care for pre-school age children.
With other Departments, DTI is contributing pump-priming funds to a pilot play scheme in London for employees' children aged five to 12 years. Future provision will depend on the outcome of the London pilot scheme and on the other discussions. The expectation is that play schemes for children aged over five should become self-financing; nursery schemes might need a continuing subsidy from departmental funds.