§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he has taken, and what action he intends taking, to implement the recommendations within his area of responsibility of the European Commission's childcare network report "Caring for Children—Services and Policies for Childcare and Equal Opportunities in the United Kingdom."
§ Mr. Cope[holding answer 5 March 1990]: The report was prepared by the European Community but no proposals have yet been developed. The Government believe that policy on child care is a matter for member states. The United Kingdom policy is that it is for families themselves to determine how their children are to be brought up and how parents who wish to do so can best combine paid work and family responsibilities. The Government through the Department of Health and Social Services and the ministerial group on women's issues have encouraged the development of a range of high quality child care options for both parents and employers in Northern Ireland.