§ 29. Sir Harold Webbeasked the Minister of Health the total number of children in residential nurseries maintained or aided out of public funds; what is the total number of staff engaged at these schools; and what is the average weekly cost per child.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Willink)There are about 3,000 children in residential nurseries maintained or aided by public assistance authorities and a small additional number in nurseries maintained by maternity and child welfare authorities. I regret that I cannot state either the total number of staff engaged in these nurseries or the average weekly cost per child. In addition, there are 407 residential nurseries with approximately 13,000 places established under the Government evacuation scheme. The exact number of children (which varies from week to week) is not available. Some 4,000 staff are engaged in this service. The average weekly cost per place varies from 25s. to £2.