§ 74. Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Health what plans have been drawn up to ensure that the 100 to 120 day nurseries required for children whose mothers desire to return to the cotton industry will become available within the next eight months.
§ Mr. BevanAll Departments concerned are working together, both centrally and regionally, to secure the provision of additional nurseries by firms and local authorities as quickly as possible.
§ 75. Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Health if he will increase the financial grant of 55 per cent. to local authorities whose day nursery schemes could be extended and so bring the grant more into line with the 100 per cent. grant made during the war.
§ Mr. BevanThe grant payable from 5th July next towards the cost of local health services, which include clay nurseries, has recently been fixed as part of the wider general scheme of financial help to local authorities embodied in the Local Government Act, 1948. I could not properly raise the existing rate in the meantime.