§ 52. Mrs. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many nursery school places there are at present in the Hamilton constituency and Lanarkshire, respectively; and what plans he has to increase these numbers.
§ Mr. MillanThere are 72 places in the Hollandbush Nursery School, Hamilton, and 45 places in Coatholme Nursery School, Coatbridge. Under the first phase of the Government's urban programme two new projects for nursery schools at Cambuslang and Viewpark, Uddingston, are being planned.
§ Mrs. EwingI am grateful for the news that new ones are planned, but would the hon. Gentleman agree that it is universally accepted that nursery school education helps to cure early personality defects and avoid later criminality? Would he not agree that one in the constituency of Hamilton is not sufficient? Would he look again at his plans with a view to stepping up this programme?
§ Mr. MillanI agree that it would be very desirable to have an expansion of nursery education in Lanarkshire and elsewhere, and this is something which I hope we shall be able to tackle in due course, but there have been many other priorities, unfortunately, in the education programme over these last few years.