§ 67. Mrs. Castleasked the Minister of Health whether he has now received reports from local authorities of their plans for continuing the day nursery provision established in wartime; how many councils are closing nurseries; and how many are increasing the charges.
§ Mr. Bevan:Schemes have been received from 256 of the 293 authorities which established day nurseries in wartime. These relate to 1,116 wartime nurseries. Sixty-nine authorities are, between them, proposing to close 97 of these nurseries. Increased charges are contemplated in about 13 areas, but my information under this head may not be complete, as authorities are not specifically required to notify their proposed charges.