HC Deb 27 November 1941 vol 376 cc869-71
22. Mr. Lindsay

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will give a 100 per cent, grant to local education authorities who wish to stimulate nursery provision for children under the age of five?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir. It has been decided that where new nursery classes are provided in public elementary school premises, especially to meet the needs of the children of women war workers, the authorities' expenditure will be eligible for 100 per cent, grant from the Ministry of Health as expenditure on war-time nurseries.

Mr. Lindsay

Does that mean that nursery classes will get a grant?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir, in the case of any new provision.

Mr. Sorensen

Will the grant be con-tinned after the present war?

Mr. Butler

It will be continued during the present urgent need.

Colonel Colville

Does this provision also refer to Scotland?

Mr. Butler

I am not in charge of Scotland, which is a matter for the Secretary of State for Scotland.

24. Mr. David Adams

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the absence of nursery schools in several of the busiest industrial centres in the north of England, in which there is a very great need for them, he can announce any new measures likely to be taken to facilitate the provision of these schools?

Mr. Butler

A communication to local authorities designed to expedite and expand all forms of provision for young children is issuing on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and myself. The hon. Member will readily appreciate that the urgent needs of the industrial areas, where women's services are most needed, will best be met, under wartime conditions, by means of nursery classes and war-time nurseries. The building of new nursery school premises must depend upon the provision of labour and building materials.

Mr. Adams

May we look forward with some confidence to the building of these urgently required schools at a fairly early date, in spite of the war?

Mr. Butler

The point of my Answer was that if we were dependent solely upon new premises, we should not be able to proceed rapidly enough. We hope to be able to get whatever premises we can, but I do not want to hold out false hopes. I am sure we shall make whatever progress is possible.