Thank you, Presiding Officer, for giving us a chance to speak on these amendments. As Welsh Conservatives, we welcome the introduction of the Bill and the childcare offer, as we always promised Welsh voters that they would have funding for childcare. It is very important, however, that we, as elected Members, ensure that no barrier to employment is present within our society, and helping parents with their childcare is indeed a key part of this pledge. As such, we do support the Minister's principle behind amendment 4, which binds the Welsh Government to a duty to provide funding for childcare. However, it is still disappointing that the Minister has failed to place the childcare offer on the face of this Bill.

Whilst it is admirable that the Minister wants to ensure future flexibility through regulations, both the explanatory memorandum and the draft administrative scheme place the numbers of 30 hours per week for 48 weeks per year. It is therefore important that the Bill has this amount on its face, which can, of course, then be changed at a later date. We also heard at Stage 2 that the Minister believes placing the offer on the face of the Bill would create more difficulties to change it in the future, but we contend that this allows for proper scrutiny of the offer's effects. As will become clear throughout the amendments I've tabled at Stage 3, we have broader concerns that the Bill is not affording the National Assembly for Wales sufficient process to examine the effects.

Amendment 4B is a technical change, but it also creates a point that the amount should be specified as hours and weeks. The Welsh Government will fund the offer.

Finally, amendment 20, which my colleague Suzy Davies AM will speak about in more detail, shows that perhaps the statutory definition of 'childcare' extends further than was intended under this Bill, including the additional charges. I'll speak about those under amendments 13 and 21.