§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what crèche facilities are provided by his Department and at what cost. [104305]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Ministry of Defence provides the following child care support for its civilian and military employees
45 work place nurseries offering 1,700 full day care places for children aged three months to five years. (Three new nurseries were opened during 2002–03 at Northwood, Andover and Ensleigh Bath).36 crèches (benefiting 700 children) providing occasional care and 70 pre schools (benefiting over 2,000 children) providing education on a sessional basis, primarily for Service families.14 wrap-around care schemes for 5–12 year olds (benefiting 350 children) providing after school care to match the working day.15 holiday play schemes providing full day care for 5℃12 year olds during school holidays (three are shared with other Government Departments) benefiting 550 children.Two child care voucher schemes: for civilian employees in Glasgow and a new scheme for Defence Science and Technology Laboratory staff, which started May 2002. (The schemes benefit over 18 parents).Within MOD responsibility for child care is delegated to the main budget areas. Initial funding can be from a variety of sources: the central budget allocation, MOD's grant from the Civil Service Modernisation fund (£900,000 in FY2000–01 and FY 2001–02 only), local authorities, benevolent funds or raised by the parents themselves. The business case then determines how much direct or indirect subsidy the MOD gives.
MOD nurseries are usually run by contractors, as commercial enterprises. They frequently receive indirect subsidies in the form of a peppercorn rent. In addition about 10 per cent. of the nurseries offer direct subsidies, which can reduce the fees by around a third. Some play schemes also receive direct subsidies. MOD's two voucher schemes provide employees with about a third of actual costs for the registered care of their choice at a cost of some £16,000 a month.
492WNo further information regarding the MOD's contribution towards the costs of child care schemes is held centrally and it could be provided only at disproportionate cost.