§ 58. Mr. Lyonsasked the President of the Board of Education what development was made during 1936 in the provision and recognition, respectively, of nursery schools in areas cleared as slums or about to be so cleared, and in housing estates for persons formerly resident in classified slum areas?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education (Mr. Shakespeare)The Board are always prepared to sanction the provision of new nursery schools in areas where the housing and general economic conditions are below the average, and on new housing estates, although it is not their practice to approve their provision in areas which will shortly be cleared. Progress, from the nature of the conditions, can only be gradual.
§ Mr. LyonsCan the hon. Gentleman tell me precisely what progress in the development of nursery schools was made in the year 1936?
§ Mr. ShakespeareThere were actually five new nursery schools recognised or approved on new housing estates, and II schools recognised or approved in poor areas not yet cleared.
§ Mr. BellengerHas the President of the Board of Education any powers to induce local education authorities to take the initiative in this matter?
§ Mr. ShakespeareYes. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will recall the circular that was issued last January asking local authorities to survey the needs of their areas and satisfy those needs.