§ 19. Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received on nursery education; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. Denis HowellSeveral, but no special record has been kept. My right hon. Friend has replied that he is awaiting the reports of the Central Advisory Councils for Education, which are considering provision for children under five as well as other aspects of primary education.
§ Mr. McNamaraIs my hon. Friend satisfied that sufficient provision is being made by local authorities for married women seeking to return to education, by providing nursery education for their children?
§ Mr. HowellLast December we announced that we would wish to extend this provision of nursery schools where there was a net gain of teachers coming into the educational service. We shall be following that up from time to time, and this Question helps in that direction.
§ Sir E. BoyleWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the extremely useful pamphlet by Mrs. Elspeth Howe on the 1875 subject, published under the imprint of the Conservative Political Centre?
§ Mr. HowellI am ready to believe that in a special instance Conservative pamphlets may be of great use to us, and I shall therefore be prepared to look at it.