HC Deb 11 March 1965 vol 708 cc136-7W
65. Mr. Freeson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to encourage local authorities to help in sponsoring play groups for children of nursery-school age.

67. Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to encourage local authorities to make a financial grant towards the creation and maintenance of pre-school playgroups.

Mr. Prentice

These groups are not schools as defined in the Education Acts and neither my right hon. Friend nor the local education authorities have any powers in the matter.

69. Mr. Crawshaw

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy on the formation of preschool playgroups run by mothers; and whether he will make a statement.

70. Mr. Spriggs

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek power to meet the full cost of creating and maintaining pre-school playgroups.

Mr. Prentice

My right hon. Friend will want to study the report of the Central Advisory Council on all aspects of primary education before considering whether there is any action which he should take in this matter. I am not aware of any public funds from which temporary assistance can be given to such groups.

Sir T. Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will introduce amending legislation to enable local authorities who wish to do so to give financial and other assistance to pre-school playgroups; and what funds exist from which temporary assistance can now be given.

Mr. Prentice

My right hon. Friend will want to study the report of the Central Advisory Council on all aspects of primary education before considering whether there is any action which he should take in this matter. I am not aware of any public funds from which temporary assistance can be given to such groups.

Mr. Freeson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to encourage local education authorities to help in the formation of play groups run by mothers, in view of the restrictions on the provision of nursery schools.

Mr. Prentice

These groups are not schools as defined in the Education Acts and neither my right hon. Friend nor the local education authorities have any powers in the matter.