32. Mr. McNeilasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that his decision to dose day nurseries has caused deep disappointment to many working-class mothers and has evoked protests from a number of local authorities; that nursery schools are not a substitute for nurseries as their function is different; that the postwar housing situation will make these nurseries an essential service; and is he prepared to receive representations on the subject.
§ Mr. WillinkAs my hon. Friend is aware, that war-time nurseries have been provided at the cost of the Exchequer as an aid to war production. They have been provided as a war service under emergency powers and those powers cannot be used to provide a normal welfare service such as I understand my hon. Friend to have in mind.
Mr. McNeilDoes not the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that, if the Department was concerned to continue them, he could find ways and means of doing it?
§ Mr. WillinkI do not consider that it would be right, or indeed possible, in the years immediately ahead to develop a new welfare service on these lines.
§ Sir Percy HarrisIs it not a pity to let this experience and organisation peter out and come to nothing?
§ Mr. WillinkI am quite sure that the experience will not be wasted, I am in close consultation with the Minister of Education, who will be making arrangements for the care of a large number of children in war-time nurseries.
§ Dr. Edith SummerskillIn view of the fact that the Minister of Labour has indicated that as many women workers as possible will be needed after the war, how does the right hon. and learned Gentleman propose to provide for the care of the small children?
§ Mr. WillinkThe position is that wartime nurseries are closed only in special cases, and they are not being closed rapidly.