M.P. sees need for childcare

Press, 21 September 1984, Page 11

M.P. sees need for childcare

PA Wellington The Government had a responsibility to ensure that there was child care for working women, the Labour member for Glenfield, Mrs Judy Keall, has said in Parliament Women who chose to work in paid employment, especially those who did so because of economic stringency, needed highquality and reasonably priced child care if they had a young family, she said in her maiden speech in Parliament. Speaking during the Ad-dress-In-Reply debate, Mrs Keall said, “It is the Government’s responsibility to make sure this is provided.” Mrs Keall said she looked forward to progress on that issue and praised the Minister of Social Welfare, Mrs Hercus, for deciding to consult interested groups before bringing in child care

regulations. “Women who choose to stay at home with young children should not be penalised; and I am pleased that a Labour Government will be bringing relief to single-income families on low wages and those on benefits,” she said. Mrs Keall said she was concerned about part-time workers. It worried her when she heard of workers, particularly women, who did not join unions because they thought they had a good boss and there was no need to do so. “But if there is ever any problem over their wages or conditions of work they are not protected. Women are particularly vulnerable in these situations and so are our young people. “It is my belief that all workers, full-time or parttime, need the protection of a union,” Mrs Keall said.