§ 59. Mr. MAINWAR1NG (for Mr. DAVID DAVIES)asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many nursery schools were established and how many plans for new ones had been approved on 1st September, 1931, and 1st April, 1934, respectively?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Ramsbotham)The number of nursery schools recognised by the Board of Education on or before 1st September, 1931, was 45, and the number of new schools for which plans had been approved was 14, but of these two have not been proceeded with. The number of schools recognised 929 on or before 1st April, 1934, was 59 (including two schools recognised as efficient but not grant-aided), and the number of new schools for which plans had been approved at that date was two.
Viscountess ASTORWill the hon. Member get the Government to reconsider their views about nursery schools in view of the Hadow Report and the Report of the Chief Medical Officer of Health? Is not this the time to expand nursery schools in devastated areas owing to the conditions of health of the people?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMThe Noble Lady knows perfectly well that it is open to local authorities to submit to the Board such cases as they consider urgent.
Viscountess ASTORDoes not the hon. Member realise that when the Government came in they told local authorities not to go on with these schools? Does he not know that it is the policy of the Government to cut down open-air nursery schools? Is not this the time when they should go forward with their extension?
Miss CAZALETIs it not the fact that when the Government's magnificent slum clearance policy comes into operation it will be unnecessary further to encourage these nursery schools?