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Child Care Facilities

Mr. Allen: To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will extend the facilities and services of the staff

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welfare department to hon. Members and their staff, with particular reference to nursery provision. [11353]

Mr. Newton: I have no such plans. Hon. Members may, however, charge nursery provision against their office costs allowance.

LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

Consultants

Mr. Milburn: To ask the Lord President of the Council what estimate he has made of the amount spent on external consultants by his Department's non-departmental public bodies in each of the last five years. [10188]

Mr. Newton: I am not responsible for any non-departmental public bodies.

22 Jan 1997 : Column: 674

Mr. Milburn: To ask the Lord President of the Council if he will list the actions his Department has taken on each of the recommendations contained in the Cabinet Office report, "The Government's Use of External Consultants". [10189]

Mr. Newton: The Privy Council Office makes only limited use of external consultants, but guidelines are in place on the procedures for placing such contracts. These require that proposals for any use of consultants should be submitted for my personal approval.

Child Care Facilities

Mr. Allen: To ask the Lord President of the Council what child care facilities are provided by his Department. [11582]

Mr. Newton: None. The Privy Council Office has a staff of fewer than 40. It would not be cost-effective for a Department of this size to provide its own child care facilities.

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