§ 20. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total grant now being paid to Scottish authorities for nursery school purposes and the sum for last year; and if it is proposed to urge the local education authorities to increase the number of such schools?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Sir John Gilmour)As the grants to Education Authorities are not allocated for particular services, but are determined by the general principles of the Education Authorities (Scotland) Grant Regulations, the reply to the first part of the question can only be in the negative. With regard to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 6th March, 1928.
§ Mr. WESTWOODDo I understand that the children who are in the nursery schools and the teachers will come under the scope of these regulations?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe hon. Gentleman had better put down a question.
§ Mr. BUCHANANWill the right hon. Gentleman take any further steps to urge the education authorities to set up these schools?
Viscountess ASTORIs it not true that the Minister of Health has always promised to look into this, and to encourage all authorities, both in England and Scotland, to get on with these schools?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe inspectors of my Department take every care to encourage those local authorities with whom the responsibility lies to institute this kind of service. All I can say is that, when we get a co-ordination of these services under a central authority, they may be better.
§ Mr. WESTWOODIs it not a fact that the Scottish Education Fund is entirely separate from the General Fund, from which payments will be made to these authorities?