Mr McClelland asked the Minister for Family Services, upon notice, on 23 September 1997:

(1) Did his Department apply an accreditation process to those persons or firms who registered as consultants in regard to the cuts to the operational subsidy for out of school hours services; if so, how.

(2) Have there been instances where a consultant interviewed by, or engaged by, an out of school hours care service has indicated that the $3,000 consultancy fee allocated by the Government was not sufficient.

Mr Warwick Smith —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) No. Services were provided with a list of persons or firms who listed as consultants and were advised that "the Commonwealth does not make any representations as to the quality or standard of the services provided by the advisers whose details appear in the register".

(2) Yes. The Department is aware that a small number of consultants have claimed the fee allocated was not sufficient for the task.