§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many places are now available in the Hamilton constituency for children in the local authority nursery school situated there; what plans he now has to increase the extent of nursery school education; and what help he is extending the playgroups in the constituency.
§ Mr. RossThere are 60 places in the Hollandbush Nursery School, Hamilton. Since 1966 education authorities have been permitted to establish new nursery classes in existing schools or other buildings for the purpose of encouraging married women teachers to return to work. In addition, some new nursery schools and classes are expected to be built in selected areas in Scotland in the initial phase of the Government's recently announced urban programme.
The extension of help to playgroups in the Hamilton constituency is a matter for the local authority.