§ Mrs. Castleasked the Minister of Health whether he can now announce his decision with regard to the continuation of war-time nurseries as emergency nurseries drawing 100 per cent. grant from his Ministry.
§ Mr. BevanYes, Sir. The existing financial arrangements will continue until 31st March, 1946. I shall shortly be asking Welfare Authorities to work out before that date, in conjunction with the Local Education Authorities, how a comprehensive nursery service, comprising nursery schools, nursery classes, day nurseries, and other measures, can best be organised, using existing services as a basis, to meet the needs of their areas. As from 1st April, 1946, I propose to provide for a weighted 50 per cent. Exchequer grant, comparable to that payable to Local Education Authorities for nursery schools and nursery classes, to be payable to Welfare Authorities on their approved expenditure on such facilities as they may provide as part of such a nursery service.