§ 25. Mr. Ivor Owen Thomasasked the Minister of Education the outcome of her further inquiries regarding the proposals made by Salop Education Committee for the closing of four out of their total of six nursery schools.
§ Miss HorsbrughI am not yet able to give any information.
§ Mr. ThomasWould the right hon. Lady say whether the words contained in Circular 242 of December to local authorities—
The Minister does not expect reductions which would impair the essential fabric of the service"—apply to nursery schools? In other words, does she consider that nursery schools are a part of the essential fabric of the service and, if so, will she see that such schools are not closed either by the Salop education authority or by any other authority?
§ Miss HorsbrughI have already said, and I have already informed local authorities, that I could not approve any indiscriminate closing of nursery schools. Each case must be considered to see the purpose which the school is serving. Above all, we must consider cases where children are attending nursery schools while their mothers are working.