§ 40. Mr. DAYasked the President of the Board of Education whether he has any further schemes before his Department at the present time for the purpose of assisting local education authorities to increase the present system of the nursery schools throughout the country?
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESAs my hon. Friend is aware, my right hon. Friend welcomes any proposals for the provision of additional nursery schools, either by local education authorities or by other bodies. Grant is available at the rate of 50 per cent. of the net expenditure involved.
§ Dr. PHILLIPSCan the hon. Gentleman give us any figures as to the number of nursery schools that have been established since he went to the Board?
§ Mr. JONESAs compared with June, 1928, when there were 28 recognised schools, there are now, I think, 44 schools which are open. There are 14 schools for which plans have already been approved and 14 for which plans are now being considered. In addition, there are 41 for which plans have already been presented to us in connection with the three-year programmes of the local education authorities, which have not yet been considered.
§ Mr. JONESNot by law, but I believe that in some areas children below the age of five years do in fact attend school.