§ 4. Miss Lestorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services under what act may local authorities grant aid to play groups in order to bring them up to the new standards required under the new Regulations relating to the Nursery and Child Minders Act.
§ Mr. SnowPlay groups run by voluntary organisations which provide for children with a special need for care on health and welfare grounds may be assisted by local health authorities under Section 65 of the Health Services and Public Health Act, 1968.
§ Miss LestorIs my right hon. Friend aware that there are about 100,000 children in privately run play groups and, because of the new Regulations regarding registration—of which I entirely approve 460 —many of them will have extra burdens to bear in respect of increased sanitary facilities and so forth? Will my right hon. Friend advise local authorities that they are eligible to give these private organisations grants as well?
§ Mr. SnowThat has already been done. My Department issued a circular last month giving all the suggestions which we thought might help local authorities in this matter.
§ Mr. RidsdaleIs the Minister aware that one way in which he can help these private authorities is by relieving them of paying S.E.T.?