§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Health why there is a decrease in this year's Estimates on the grants for maternity and child welfare (Class VII, Vote 1, Sub-head G 1) of £70,000 in the case of England, and of £2,000 in the case of Wales, as compared with last year's Estimates; and whether every encouragement is being given to local authorities and voluntary agencies to help expectant and nursing mothers, and young children, under the Maternity and Child Welfare Act, 1918, and the Education Act of 1918?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYAs regards the first part of the question, the explanation is that the actual expenditure last year of local authorities and voluntary agencies for maternity and child welfare proved to be considerably below the provision 1389W made in the Estimate for that year. The provision made for grants in the Estimate for this year is substantially in excess of the actual amount of grants paid last year, and includes the necessary provision for developments of this service. The answer to the second part of the question is "Yes," so far as activities under the Maternity and Child Welfare Act, 1918, are concerned. Any question affecting the Education Act of 1918 should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Education.