HC Deb 13 March 1969 vol 779 cc1537-8
8. Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to give direct financial support to established and recognised pre-school play groups to assist them with a proportion of their costs; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Edward Short

Pre-school play groups are not schools, nor do they provide an educational service within the meaning of the Education Acts. For this reason neither I nor local education authorities have power to give them direct financial assistance under the Education Acts—although I do make grants to the Playgroups Association and the Save the Children Fund towards their headquarters expenses. I know that a number of education authorities assist play groups with loans of equipment and accommodation and with advice. Financial assistance can be given by local authorities under powers conferred on them by other Acts, and they have been invited under the second phase of the urban programme to make proposals for projects which will attract special grant from the Exchequer.

Mr. Carter-Jones

While accepting what my right hon. Friend has said about this matter, may I ask whether it would not be better to use a small amount of money and revise the Act, if necessary, to assist pre-school groups, because it is a good form of nursery education to get off the ground? Is it not also a good example of enlightened self-interest?

Mr. Short

This is what we are doing in the urban programme. Under the first phase 34 local authorities were assisted. Under the second phase we have invited all local authorities to apply. As I have pointed out, local authorities have power to give assistance to play groups, but under the Act which gives effect to the urban programme, they will be able to get a 75 per cent. grant for this expenditure.

Mr. J. E. B. Hill

Would the right hon. Gentleman say that this lack of legal power that he has is something that he would wish to remedy in the new Education Bill?

Mr. Short

Yes, I think so. I think that play groups do a very good job. But I repeat that there are a number of Acts, apart from the Education Acts, which empower local authorities to give assistance. If we now approve those projects under the urban programme they will rank for 75 per cent. grant.

26. Mr. J. E. B. Hill

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which local education authorities have now appointed pre-school play group organisers or advisory officers.

Mr. Edward Short

I have no information about this. Local education authorities do not inform me of appointments to advisory posts.

Mr. Hill

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the comparatively few local authorities which have appointed such advisers have found that they have been of great value? Will he, therefore, advise other local authorities, particularly those with educational priority area problems, that it would be highly desirable for them to appoint such officers?

Mr. Short

I agree with the hon. Gentleman about the importance of these people. The recent circular on the second phase of the urban programme referred to this matter in specific terms and said that local authorities would in some cases first wish to appoint an organiser and that the cost of that organiser would, of course, rank for the 75 per cent. grant.