§ 16. Miss Lestorasked the Minister of Health if, in view of the shortage of day nursery places for the children of working mothers, he will seek to give financial assistance to industrial and other concerns who are willing to establish day nurseries attached to their place of work.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Julian Snow)This would require legislation which is not at present contemplated.
§ Miss LestorWould not my hon. Friend agree that, unless a careful watch is kept on this provision and financial assistance given, where necessary, this type of service is likely to prove to be as inadequate as much of the private day-minding service has been?
§ Mr. SnowLocal health authorities can make grants only to voluntary bodies and only where the day nursery in ques- 1326 tion is mainly for children who need places on health and welfare grounds. The future provision of nursery facilities for pre-school children will depend on decisions to be taken on the Plowden Report.