§ Dr. MarekTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of workplaces for civil servants in his Department; what proportion of the total number have an on-site nursery facility; how many and what proportion of workplaces provide a holiday play scheme; how many and what proportion of work places provide after-school child care facilities; what charges are made for use of any facility; what the net cost has been for the provision of these facilities; and what estimate he can make of any future expenditure.
§ Mr. EggarIn addition to the Department's two main sites in London and Darlington, there are 41 HMI local offices each containing fewer than 12 members of staff. The Darlington site has a holiday play scheme for which in 1990–91 parents paid £4 per day for the first child and £3 for each subsequent child. The net cost to the Department of the provision was £3,800 which is expected to rise to £4,000 in 1991–92. There are plans to provide nursery facilities at the Darlington site but no plans for after-school child care.
The Department has no plans to provide any on-site child care provision in London. However, the Westminster holiday play scheme, supported by this and other Departments, is available during each of the school holiday periods to employees' children. In addition, the Department is considering with other Departments the establishment of interdepartmental creche facilities in London and commuting areas.