HC Deb 23 July 1970 vol 804 cc736-7
21. Mr. John E. B. Hill

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make proposals for encouraging the provision of playgroups and similar nursery facilities for children under five in those areas where formal nursery schools or classes cannot yet be made available.

23. Miss Lestor

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will take steps to encourage the expansion of playgroups and to assure a greater Departmental responsibility for them.

Mr. van Straubenzee

Responsibility for the inspection and registration of playgroups will be a matter for social service departments of local authorities under the Local Authorities (Social Services) Act passed by the last Parliament and for my right hon. Friends the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Social Services. But I recognise the educational importance of the work done by playgroups and I hope that, in suitable cases, local authorities will continue to give assistance to them.

Mr. Hill

In view of the great growth of the playgroup movement, has not the time come to establish some more formal links with the Department of Education and Science, especially in regard to the setting and maintenance of standards of education, rather than leave it so much on health grounds?

Mr. van Straubenzee

My hon. Friend, who is expert in these matters, will understand the problem arising out of his suggestion in relation to the legislation to which I have just drawn attention, but I shall, naturally, look at them in the light of his observations.

Miss Lestor

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that, however sympathetic he may be to the playgroup movement, it is difficult to encourage playgroups to develop under his Department if the Department has no responsibility for them? Will he, therefore, again consider sharing responsibility for playgroups with the new Social Services Committee and, in the meantime, issue a circular to local education authorities drawing attention to the needs of the under-fives not covered by nursery schools?

Mr. van Straubenzee

I have gently to remind the hon. Lady that the legislation under which we work was the product of her own Government.

Miss Lestor

Before I was there.