§ 78. Mr. Thorneasked the Minister of Health how many day nurseries there are under the control of the Hendon Borough Council; whether he has seen the coroner's statement made on Tuesday, 13th January, following the death of a child at Cricklewood whose mother was at work; how many day nurseries there are in the Metropolitan police area and what he intends doing to increase them?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Horsbrugh)My right hon. Friend's attention has been called to the case mentioned by my hon. Friend. The report makes it clear that it was a child of school age whose mother was not at work but had left the house for a short time. Three day nurseries for children under five have been approved in Hendon, of which one will be opened in the next few days and the others will follow shortly. Plans for a fourth are to be submitted this week. With regard to the last part of the Question, on 31st December there were 20 war-time day nurseries open in the London Region, 44 more had been approved but were not then in operation, and a further 92 were in preparation. The development of this 568 and other forms of provision in accordance with the Circular issued by the President of the Board of Education and my right hon. Friend on 5th December is being expedited by all practicable means.