§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to review their plans and policies for supporting family life in the international year of the family.
§ Mr. BowisThe Government recognise the importance of the family as providing the essential environment for bringing up children and we give every priority and encouragement to the family in the development of policies. It seeks to ensure that all policies take account of their impact on families.
Government policy seeks to enable families to be self-supporting.
The role of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health will be to explain how the Government's policy initiatives affect the family.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security will continue to handle the day-to-day co-ordination of the Government's contribution to the United Nations International Year of the Family.