HC Deb 02 March 1967 vol 742 cc671-2
3. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will seek powers to implement the recommendation of the Plowden Report that, as an interim measure, Government financial assistance be given to local authorities to help establish and maintain play centres.

The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Mrs. Shirley Williams)

There is no specific recommendation relating to play centres in the Plowden Report. The Council did, however, recommend that, until enough main- tained places are available, local education authorities should be given power to give financial or other assistance to nursery groups run by non-profit-making associations. It is not proposed to reach a decision on this or other recommendations of the Council until the views of the associations of local authorities and teachers have been received.

Mr. Allaun

Did not the Plowden Report say that primary schools should be used for this purpose, out of school hours, as much as possible? Would not the cost be small compared with the tremendous value to children and working mothers?

Mrs. Williams

My hon. Friend will be aware that under the Education Act, 1944, there are powers to establish play centres. We should like to look at advice in the Plowden Report before taking matters further with legislation.

Sir E. Boyle

May I, first of all, welcome the hon. Lady the Minister of State from this side of the House? I believe that this is the first time that she has answered Questions in her new post. May I ask her how soon the Government expect to make a statement on the recommendations contained in the Plowden Report? Are they aware that we feel that the Government should make time available for a debate on the Report at an early opportunity?

Mrs. Williams

The Government are well aware of the very serious nature of the proposals put forward in the Report and of the urgency of considering these as quickly as possible. I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that we want to obtain the advice of the bodies whom we have invited to make representations about the Report.