§ Mr. Frank Juddasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the measures taken by his Department to establish the need for pre-school playgroups places throughout England and Wales; and whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the estimated need and of the number of places available in each of the 20 largest county boroughs and cities of England and Wales outside London.
§ Sir K. JosephMy right hon. and learned Friend and I have recently asked Welsh and English local authorities to submit to us by 28th February, 1973, their plans for the development of the personal social services, including playgroups, over the next ten years after assessing the needs to be met. The comparisons requested in the second half of the Question for a current period could not be made without a special inquiry.