To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what research his Department has carried out regarding the impact of the lack of creche and similar facilities for children aged under five years on female unemployment; and if he will make a statement.

The Department has funded a number of research projects which have looked into child care and female unemployment. We are currently sponsoring research into the many issues that surround women's decisions to return to work after childbirth.

Does the Minister agree that this country has an appalling record and that of the 12 European Community countries we have the lowest level of provision apart from Portugal? Is he aware that a survey of 100 industrial companies carried out last month by The Daily Telegraph, showed that only six provided child care facilities? By 1992, when the Single European Act comes into force, we shall be unable to meet the target.

I certainly do not agree with the hon. Gentleman. We have the second highest level of female participation in the work force throughout the European Community and 85 per cent. of all children under five have some kind of pre-school provision such as creches, play schools or nursery schools. That is a record of which we can and should be proud.

Does my hon. Friend accept that I believe, as do many other hon. Members, that it was entirely wise for the Department to wait and see what private sector initiatives would be called into being to provide creche and other facilities for women wishing to enter the employment market? Does he also accept that in view of the wide range of perks and tax-deductible expenses which operate for a large number of other purposes the Department should look closely at the tax position of facilities which make it possible for women to return to the labour market?

I understand my hon. Friend's concern, but he should not underestimate the considerable amount of child care provision of one kind or another that is already available. I will refer his comments to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the exchequer.

When will the Minister accept that we have the worst child care provision for under-fives in the European Community? Why do the Government persist in pretending that they wish women to return to the paid labour market when the biggest barrier to their return is the lack of provision for the under-fives? When will the Minister stop thinking about it and start providing those facilities?

The hon. Lady obviously was not listening. We have the second highest level of female participation in the work force in the European Community. Almost one in three women with children under five have jobs because they want to have jobs. Other women decide that they do not want to work when they have children under five. They should be free to make that choice.

Will my hon. Friend congratulate companies which already provide creche facilities and those which are embarking on the provision of even further creche facilities to welcome back women who wish to return to work, especially the big banks which are very active in this area?

I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. There have been a number of important initiatives. The Civil Service is also seeking to lead the way with a number of imaginative schemes. It is important that employers should provide facilities for child care for their women employees.