HC Deb 26 February 1948 vol 447 cc2093-4
8. Mr. Kenneth Lindsay

asked the Minister of Education how many nursery classes have been closed to make way for infants.

Mr. Tomlinson

I regret that this information is not available, but the number of nursery classes in England and Wales rose from 1,828, with 54,092 children, in January, 1946, to 2,364, with 68,425 children, in January, 1947. Comparable figures for January, 1948, are not yet available.

Mr. Lindsay

I realised that there was that rise, but all the figures relating to this emergency appear, according to my information, to be in the last six months. Is the Minister aware that reports from several authorities confirm what is behind the Question, and that one authority says that it will have to refuse 1,000 children in infant schools next July? Will the Minister treat this matter as one of emergency, as was done during the war, when literally a miracle of improvisation was performed?

Mr. Tomlinson

I will look at it when the figures are available. They should be available before long.

9. Mr. K. Lindsay

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to see that children, who are deprived of their nursery classes and await entrance to infant schools, are not also deprived of school meals, milk and the medical service.

Mr. Tomlinson

Children under five have the benefit of the Welfare Foods Service whether they go to school or not. Local education authorities have no power to extend their meals, milk and medical services to children not attending school.