§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what competitive tendering procedures were used for the selection of Acorn Nursery as provider of holiday play schemes for children of Welsh Office staff; what financial evaluation was made of competing bids; what consultation with different grades of staff was carried out; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntThe Welsh Office holiday play scheme contract was advertised in the local press. Tenders were evaluated on the basis of the cost benefit to the Department and the value for money to parents—who meet the major part of the cost. Two tenderers came within the Department's cost limit and satisfied its quality criterion. They were interviewed.
As the cost benefit to the Welsh Office was the same with either provider, consultations took place with a representative sample of users in a range of grades including junior clerical grades. Staff were unanimous in preferring the Acorn hid and the selection was made on that basis.
Child care forms an important part of my Department's policy to promote equality of opportunity, help staff combine a career and family responsibilities, and maximise the contribution of skilled and experienced staff.