§ Ms. ArmstrongTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, how she intends to respond to the recommendation on child care adopted by the European Council of Ministers; and whether she intends to review policy in terms of (i) the reconciliation of employment and caring for children, (ii) early childhood care and education services and (iii) funding for (i) and (ii).
§ Mr. YeoThe recommendation which was adopted on 31 March 1992 calls on member states to report back to the Commission on the steps taken in response to the matters covered in the articles by March 1995.
The recommendation will inform the continuing debate about child care and other means of helping parents reconcile work and family responsibilities.
The relevant Departments will be working together in considering the United Kingdom's response and we intend to draw the recommendation to the attention of local authorities, employers' organisations, business interests, child care providers and organisations representing their interests and voluntary organisations.