HC Deb 14 March 1946 vol 420 cc1278-9
43. Mr. Shurmer

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the appeal to women to remain or go back into industry for a period, and the fact that day nurseries will be needed nearly as much as in the wartime period, he will consider granting a greater proportion of the cost than the 54 per cent. indicated in his Circular to local authorities, of 14th December, 1945, thereby enabling nurseries to be kept open without having to recover high fees from the mothers which may discourage them from working.

80. Mr. Marples

asked the Minister of Health whether in view of the Prime Minister's appeal to the women of this country to remain at work or to return to work, he will consider restoring the 100 percent grant for wartime day nurseries.

86. Dr. Comyns

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the appeal to women to remain in industry, he will reconsider his decision to cut down the grant for the maintenance of the wartime nurseries.

Mr. Bevan

Welfare authorities have had power to provide day nurseries as a maternity and child welfare service since 1918. That service is normally assisted by the Exchequer only through the block grant. But for the abnormal circumstances, including the needs of industry of the present time, the special Exchequer grant promised from 1st April could not have been justified. The rate of that grant is broadly equivalent to that which is payable under Regulations which have been laid before Parliament for the analogous service of nursery schools and nursery classes, and I regret that I cannot increase it.

Mr. Shurmer

Is the Minister aware, in view of the appeal for women in the great industrial centres like Birmingham, where women have been very valuable during the war, and will continue to be very valuable for the next two or three years, that the women are already indicating their intention to leave the factories because of the increased charges being put upon them as a result of the removal of Exchequer grants?

Mr. Bevan

This is essentially a local service, and Exchequer grants have been paid in order to maintain it. I cannot support the uneconomic practice of providing Exchequer grants for running these services. It would be appalling extravagance, and not only would it be extravagant, but it would undermine the independence of local government. Hon. Members ought, in these matters, to press the local authorities to exercise their powers.