§ 29. Mr. McEnteeasked the Minister of Health if he will introduce legislation to enable local authorities to continue war-time nurseries, as a peace-time service with Government grant, to meet the needs of mothers whose husbands were killed or seriously injured in the war or by industrial accidents and have themselves to go to work, of mothers too ill to give full attention to their children, and of those whose housing accommodation make it impossible to provide proper play-time conditions for young children, free from the danger of the streets.
§ Mr. WillinkWelfare authorities are already empowered, by the Public Health Act, 1936, to make provision, subject to my general approval, for the care of children who have not attained the age of five years and are not being educated in schools recognised by the Minister of Education. I should be prepared to approve the establishment of a nursery under these powers provided that it does not prejudice or interfere with the provision of nursery schools or classes.
§ Mr. McEnteeIs the right hon and learned Gentleman prepared to sanction the use of existing war nurseries which have been specially provided for the purpose?
§ Mr. WillinkThe conditions with regard to existing war nurseries may, of course, change in peace-time.