HC Deb 17 December 1953 vol 522 cc568-9
33. Mr. Sparks

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to transfer the administration of day nurseries from the Middlesex County Council to those county district councils of Middlesex who are willing to accept the responsibility.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

No, Sir, and in any case the county district councils have no power to provide day nurseries.

Mr. Sparks

That is precisely what I am asking the right hon. Gentleman to take powers to do. Is the hon. Lady aware that when the Middlesex County Council took over the day nurseries from the district councils they showed great indifference, and even hostility, and that their administrative policy is leading to a disintegration of the service and, finally, to its elimination? Before that stage of elimination arrives will the hon. Lady give the district councils the opportunity to take over these day nurseries again so that they may continue?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the Middlesex County Council will continue to meet the needs for this day nursery accommodation as necessary. He does not feel it advisable to introduce what would necessarily be legislation to meet the extension for which the hon. Gentleman has asked.

34. Mr. Sparks

asked the Minister of Health if he will give a direction to the Middlesex County Council that the children of Service men shall not be excluded from day nurseries where the wife is compelled to seek employment because of the inadequacy of the Service allowance.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that Service families have their needs considered by the county council on the same grounds as other families.

Mr. Sparks

Under the new formula for admission that means, in fact, that children of Service men will be put outside the day nurseries of Middlesex.

Hon. Members

Question.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member should ask a question, and not make a statement.

Mr. Sparks

Is the hon. Lady aware of what I have said, that she is really misinformed on this point, and that if she will make inquiries she will find that there is some substance in the Question I have put down?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

From the information at my right hon. Friend's disposal we have an assurance from the Middlesex County Council that their new proposals will not alter their existing priority categories for admission to day nurseries, so the position of a Service family should be in no way worsened from its former position.