Miss Rathboneasked the Minister of Health the number of day and residential nurseries that have been opened for the children of munition workers by his Department in co-operation with local authorities; where the nurseries are situated; how many children are accommodated in each of them; and the approximate cost per child per annum falling upon the rates and taxes?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI have now approved the establishment by local authorities of 22 day nurseries for children whose mothers are munition workers. These nurseries, and the accommodation provided in each, are as follows:
— No. of nurseries. No. of places. Preston 3 30, 30, 75 Birmingham 7 42, 50, 36 30, 60, 32 60 Leeds 1 30 Bolton 1 50 St. Helens 1 30 Redditch (Worcs.) 1 45 Coventry 2 50, 60 Leeds 1 34 Tottenham 1 60 Stockton-on-Tees 1 30 Smethwick 1 30 Woolwich 2 30, 45 Totals 22 939 The estimated cost of a day nursery is 3s. per attendance; of this Is, is being met from taxes and usually the parents are asked to pay is., the balance being met from the rates. The Exchequer bears the approved cost of adaptation and equipment of each nursery.