§ Jackie BallardTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which of his Ministers has the lead responsibility for child care issues. [45793]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthI have the lead responsibility for the National Childcare Strategy in England. I work closely with Ministerial colleagues within the Department for Education and Employment and elsewhere, including the Ministers for Women. I also work closely with Ministerial colleagues in the Scottish Office, the Welsh Office and the Northern Ireland Office who are each launching their own child care consultations focusing on the particular issues in those parts of the United Kingdom.