HC Deb 07 May 1953 vol 515 cc555-6
24. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the hardship caused to parents in Staffordshire who are required to pay 8s. per day for children in day nurseries, he will consider a reduction in the charge.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

The matter is within the discretion of the Staffordshire County Council, who reduce their standard charge of 8s. a day in cases of hardship.

Mr. Henderson

While the circular upon which the various local authorities are acting is not couched in mandatory terms, is there not an express indication on the part of the Minister of Health that the local authorities should operate the provisions of the 1952 Act? May I also ask whether the effect of increasing this charge to 8s. a day will not debar a good many parents and children from this most valuable and, indeed, essential social service? May I lastly ask whether a number of these day nurseries are not already being closed as a result?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

As far as the nurseries in the Staffordshire area are concerned, the circular issued to them gave the local authorities power to make a charge more in keeping with the cost of the nurseries but, in cases of hardship, they reduce the charge. As far as the area of the right hon. and learned Gentleman is concerned, there are many cases in the use of nurseries where both parents are in full employment and have a high joint income. It seems quite reasonable that they should pay the charge.

Mr. Bowles

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to thank her right hon. Friend for so speedily dealing with the matter in my constituency on the same subject, and may I ask if she is aware that, while my right hon. and learned Friend is complaining about a charge of 8s. a day, in my constituency it is 12s. a day, which is £3 a week. Is she also aware that the number of children attending this day nursery has gone down from 40 to six because, in spite of what the Minister has written to me, a large number of women cannot possibly pay £3 out of £4 wages? Will she ask her right hon. Friend to look into the matter again, because this hardship has resulted in appearing to justify a case for the shutting down of this nursery?