§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will allocate sufficient funds to the preschool play group central organisation to enable them to provide wider support aid and advice centres to assist the expansion of existing pre-school play groups centres and to encourage the establishment of new ones; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss LestorMy right hon. Friend has recently decided that the grant which the Department pays to the National Association of Pre-School Play Groups should be continued for a further year and increased from £3,000 to £3,500. There will be a similar increase in the grant to the Save the Children Fund in respect of the work carried out by their play group advisory staff.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will circularise all local authorities, advising them of the importance of preschool play groups, and urging them to give assistance to the establishment of pre-school play groups in their areas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss LestorI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to his similar Question on 13th March, 1969. The valuable work that many play groups are performing has been recognised by the Government's decision to pay a 75 per cent. grant, under the urban programme arrangements, towards assistance given by local authorities to certain play groups serving areas of special social need.—[Vol. 779, c. 1537–38.]