§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what provision his Department makes for child care facilities for staff; what is the extent of subsidy to nursery places and holiday playschemes; if his Department(a) subscribes to "Childcare Solutions" and (b) makes child care vouchers available; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThis answer covers the Cabinet Office, including the Office of Public Service and Science and its agencies, the Central Office of Information, arid Her Majesty's Stationery Office.
Workplace nurseries are available to staff at the Civil Service college and the Chessington computer centre. Holiday play schemes are available to staff working in departmental buildings in London and at CCTA in Norwich.
324WThe Civil Service college contributed £11,819 to staff places at its nursery in 1993–94. Chessington computer centre contributed £39,493 to staff places at its nursery in 1993–94.
The Westminster holiday play scheme is available to all staff in London and is subsidised by reimbursing staff 50 per cent. of the cost incurred. The holiday play scheme available to staff at CCTA in Norwich is subsidised at a rate of £850 per annum.
The Westminster holiday play scheme is also available to COI staff in London and is subsidised by reimbursing staff 50 per cent. of the cost incurred.
A workplace nursery and holiday play scheme is available to HMSO staff in Norwich. In 1993–94, HMSO contributed £81,370 to the nursery and £1,757 to the holiday play scheme.
The Cabinet Office, the OPSS and its agencies, the COI and HMSO do not subscribe to "Childcare Solutions" or make child care vouchers available.
When determining what child care assistance to provide, the Cabinet Office, the OPSS and its agencies, the COI and HMSO, in common with all other Departments, ensure that it is justified on value for money grounds.