HC Deb 07 March 1946 vol 420 c116W
83. Mr. J. Lewis

asked the Minister of Health if he will take immediate steps to prevent the closing of day nurseries in several towns in Lancashire, having regard to the effect that this will have on the recruitment of women for the cotton industry.

Mr. Bevan

The Government is urging local authorities to maintain a nursery service adequate to the industrial and other needs of their areas, and is offering a special Exchequer grant towards the cost. Where an authority propose to close a substantial proportion of existing nurseries or. 31st March, I am making sure that they have taken into account all relevant considerations, including the advice of the Ministry of Labour, but I have no power to compel them to keep the nurseries open.

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