§ 44. Sir Herbert Williamsasked the Minister of Health the number of wartime nurseries now operating, their total accommodation, the average attendance, the staff employed, and the estimated number of mothers who are able to work on munitions because of the service provided and the total cost of the service?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Horsbrugh)The number of war-time nurseries operating at 31st August is 826, with 34,000 places. From the latest return the attendances are approximately 70 per cent. of the accommodation provided. The staff employed is approximately 7,000, including young girls of 16 and older women resident in the districts. It is estimated that some 30,000 women could be freed for work of national importance by the nurseries now in operation. Complete figures of actual cost are not available but it has been estimated that the average cost would be from 3s. to 4s. a day of which mothers pay 1s.
§ Sir I. AlberyCan the hon. Lady say what proportion of voluntary workers is employed in these nurseries?
§ Miss HorsbrughThere is certainly a good proportion of voluntary workers, but without notice I cannot say the number.