§ Mr. MalinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the effect on the availability of childcare provision by au pairs for poorer families of the inclusion of au pairs within the minimum wage provisions. [70373]
§ Mr. Ian McCartney[holding answer 10 February 1999]I have been asked to reply.
I do not expect the introduction of the National Minimum Wage to affect the availability of childcare provision by au pairs. The National Minimum Wage Regulations, which were laid before Parliament on Tuesday, 16 February, provide for the exclusion from coverage of workers who reside in their employer's family household, are treated as members of that family and share in the tasks and leisure activities of the family.