Pre-School Play Groups

HC Deb 21 March 1968 vol 761 cc588-9

38. Mr. Gardner

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will issue a circular giving further advice to local education authorities on assistance to pre-school play groups.

Miss Bacon

No, Sir. It is within the discretion of local education authorities to decide how far they can offer practical help to pre-school play groups.

Mr. Gardner

Is my right hon. Friend aware that most local authorities refuse to give assistance to play group organisations? In providing for a national plan for the training of voluntary helpers, will my right hon. Friend accept that, for little money, a great deal could be done to help these voluntary workers? Will she try and ginger local authorities up a bit?

Miss Bacon

I hope local authorities will take action on this. For a limited period my Department has agreed to pay grants to the Pre-School Play Groups Association and the Save-the-Children Fund towards their headquarters expenses in this respect.