§ Mr. Longdenasked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to increase the number of day nurseries provided by local authorities, which has fallen by approximately 50 per cent. since 1949.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI do not consider that any steps are necessary. Local health authorities have been advised since the war that day nurseries should be used to meet the special needs of mothers obliged by their circumstances to go out to work, or other cases where the child cannot be satisfactorily cared for at home. There is no indication that the needs for which they are intended are not being met.