HL Deb 16 March 2005 vol 670 cc133-4WA
Lord Maginnis of Drumglass

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 2 February (WA 38) regarding childcare facilities for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, whether the focus groups were held in 1999 or 2003–04; and, if they were held in 1999, why it has taken until 2005 to begin the preparation of a business case. [HL1501]

Baroness Amos

The childcare focus groups were run from the end of 2003 to April 2004. They were held across the service in headquarters departments and district command units and were attended by both police and support staff.

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 2 February (WA 38) regarding childcare facilities for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, why, according to the oversight commissioner's reports between 2001 and 2004, no evidence was given to indicate when a decision regarding the full implementation of the Patten report recommendation 123 would be taken. [HL1502]

Baroness Amos

At the time of request, evidence was not available as it was still being collated as part of a research project into childcare facilities.

Focus groups were run from the end of 2003 until April 2004, and following this a report was prepared by an external consultant. The PSNI human resource department is now considering the issues raised in that report as they relate to childcare and family friendly issues.