§ 12. Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many day nursery places for under-fives there are in England and Wales; how many new places will be provided in 1980–81; and how many places will be lost through closures.
§ Sir George YoungOn 31 March 1979 there were 28,700 places in local authority day nurseries in England and Wales, and private premises were registered to provide all-day care for up to 22,600 children. Information is not available on the number of new places to be provided in 1980–81, or on the number of places to be lost through closures.
§ Mr. DubsDoes the Minister accept that there is an urgent need to provide more day nursery places? Is he aware that Wandsworth council has recently decided to close a day nursery in an area in which more places are needed? Will he urge local authorities not to close day nurseries, but to provide more care for the under-fives?
§ Sir G. YoungNo, Sir. In general, I do not accept that it is the State's job to provide day care to enable the parents of young children to go out to work. I understand that Wandsworth council has made arrangements for those children who were attending the Nightingdale Lane day nursery. Under a recent phase of the urban programme, several latchkey children's schemes have been put forward by Wandsworth council, and have been approved.
§ Mr. ThompsonIs there any cooperation between the Department of Health and Social Security and the Department of Education and Science on this issue?
§ Sir G. YoungI hope that I shall not be misunderstood when I say that I keep in very close touch with Lady Young, Minister of State, Department of Education and Science. She is no relation. I have regular meetings with her about provision for the under-fives. Last autumn we jointly met a delegation from the Pre-School Playgroups Association. Later this month we shall make joint visits to schemes for under-fives in Hounslow and Haringey.
§ Mr. MoyleGiven the Minister's decision to abolish the Personal Social Services Council with effect from tomorrow—despite its excellent record of advice to Governments and despite savage cuts in personal social service budgets—is not the only way that he can maintain credibility to admit that such services will deteriorate steadily under this Government?
§ Sir G. YoungWith great respect to the Personal Social Services Council, it has not provided any services for the under-fives.
§ Mr. SoleyDoes the Minister agree with the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children that the best way to reduce the incidence of child cruelty and abuse is to provide adequate day-care provision? If he agrees with the NSPCC, will he ensure that all local authorities provide adequate facilities?
§ Sir G. YoungThe Department will shortly issue a circular that will indicate how the register might be put to more effective use to reduce the tragic incidence of child abuse.