HL Deb 02 February 1998 vol 585 cc82-3WA
Lord Braine of Wheatley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will list those nurseries within the Westminster area that are run for or may be used by:

  1. (a) civil servants;
  2. (b) staff of the House;
  3. (c) Peers;
  4. (d) staff of Peers,
together with the cost per week, the age group covered and any conditions that apply. [HL251]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

Civil Service departments and agencies are encouraged, where there is a business case, to make available childcare facilities to support those who wish to combine a career with domestic responsibilities. Many Civil Service nurseries and playschemes run as inter-departmental or local partnerships, and often involve other non-civil service employers.

Information about nurseries and playschemes available to the children of civil servants is not held centrally.

Neither House provides nursery places in the Westminster area for their staff. They do, however, have in place alternative measures to help their staff with their childcare responsibilities. For example, childcare vouchers are available to staff in both Houses. Such measures are for House employees only and are not available to Peers, nor their staff.