§ Mr. LeightonTo ask the Prime Minister which Government Departments have responsibilities for child care and family responsibilities; what they are; what mechanisms there are for co-ordination in these matters; and if she will make a statement on the Government's policy on child care.
§ The Prime MinisterWhile the Department of Health has a lead responsibility on child care almost all Government Departments have policies which affect child care and family life. Each Minister is responsible for policies within his own sphere. Co-ordination is achieved through the normal and well-established process of inter-departmental liaison, and additional collaborative arrangements exist in the form of the inter-departmental committees, such as the ministerial group on women's issues, the inter-departmental group on day care and the inter-departmental group on child abuse. Government policy on child care is reflected in the Children Act 1989.