§ 61. Mr. Bossomasked the Minister of Health the total number of nurseries or creches it has been decided to open for the use of war-workers' children; and how many have been completed, are fully staffed and already in use?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Horsbrugh)It is the intention of my right hon. Friend that as many war nurseries should be opened as are required in connection with the employment of women in war industry, but it is not possible for the Departments concerned to say at this stage what number of nurseries will ultimately be needed. At the end of February, 1,063 were in some stage of preparation, and 322 of these were already in operation.
§ Mr. BossomDoes that include women in factories? If so, how many are in factories?
§ Miss HorsbrughNo; this number includes only those war nurseries open under the scheme for which local authorities get 100 per cent. grant.
§ Mr. HiggsWhat precautions are taken to ensure that these nurseries are used exclusively for war workers?
§ Miss HorsbrughThese nurseries are for the children of women doing full-time work.
§ Mr. Evelyn WalkdenDoes the hon. Lady adhere to the statement that they are only for children of women doing full-time work, when employers are seeking ways and means of accommodating part-time women workers to do five hours a day—at very useful work, too?
§ Miss HorsbrughI think such nurseries will shortly be available for them. At the present moment, I think they are practically all for people doing full-time work.
§ Miss Eleanor RathboneIs it not a fact that they are just as much needed for part-time workers as for full-time workers?
§ Miss HorsbrughI think part-time workers would be included in the term "war workers."