§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will increase the number of social services inspections in private and state run nurseries to a minimum of two per year; and if he will make these unannounced visits; [32192]
(2) if he will introduce a requirement for safety inspections by social services and the Health and Safety Executive prior to the opening of nursery establishments as a condition of their licence; [32194]
(3) if he will amend the legislation governing private and state run nursery provision and child care inspected by social services to require in addition inspections from the Health and Safety Executive; [32193]
(4) what representations he has received on the safety standards of nurseries in the North West. [32191]
§ Mr. BoatengWe are not aware of any representations on the safety standards of nurseries in the North West. I will shortly be issuing a consultation paper with the Under-Secretary of State for Education and Employment, my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Yardley (Ms Morris), on the future regulation of early education and day care. The paper will seek comments on many of the issues raised by my hon. Friend. I will ensure that my hon. Friend is sent a copy. It would be inappropriate to consider any changes to legislation before this consultation exercise has been completed.