§ 33. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Health if he will recognise play groups for young children as a social service for which grants are made available, particularly in areas of high blocks of flats.
§ Mr. LoughlinThis matter will be considered when my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science considers the report of the Central Advisory Councils for Education on primary education, including the educational needs of children under five.
§ Mr. AllaunI am grateful for that Answer, for what are mothers to do if they have nowhere to put their children to play? How can mothers living on the tenth floor run down in time to keep their toddlers from running in front of traffic?
§ Mr. LoughlinMy Department is concerned, in dealing with the question of children under five, with children who need care on health and welfare grounds.
§ Mr. BenceWill my hon. Friend consider that in the planning of high blocks of flats of high density provision should be made for play-group facilities?
§ Mr. LoughlinThere may be much in what my hon. Friend says, but planning, of course, is a matter for the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.