To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what childcare facilities his Department makes available for staff; how much his Department spent (a) overall and (b) per child on those childcare facilities in the last year; and how many staff members use those childcare facilities.

The requested information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Child care is primarily the responsibility of local authorities and they have a remit to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet the requirements of the parents in their area. However, it is Ministry of Defence (MOD) policy to develop solutions to any evidenced gaps in childcare for all MOD employees, both military and civilian, in the vicinity of its sites and bases. Such schemes are usually managed locally. We are currently reviewing arrangements relating to the provision of childcare for employees.