§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he intends to take, by means of increased financial provision and in other ways, to assist in the extension of the provision of pre-school play groups of children, especially in areas in which there is a high degree of female employment and where other educational facilities are considered inadequate.
§ Mr. Ross:I hope that local authorities will make full use of their power to assist the provision of pre-school playgroups, especially in areas with inadequate facilities for young children to play together. I am willing to consider applications by local authorities for grant of 75 per cent. under the urban programme towards expenditure, including grants to voluntary bodies, in support of playgroup in urban areas of
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Number of children in family Addition for each child after the fourth Period 2 3 4 s. s. s. s. 6th August, 1946–1st September, 1952 … 5 10 15 5 2nd September, 1952–1st October, 1956 … 8 16 24 8 2nd October, 1956–23rd October, 1967 … 8 18 28 10 24h October, 1967–8th April, 1968 … 8 18 33 15 9th April, 1968–7th October, 1968 … 15 32 49 17 8th October, 1968 continuing … 18 38 58 20 acute social need; so far, the response of local authorities in this field has been disappointing.
I am at present reviewing my annual grant to the Scottish Pre-School Playgroups Association, and I am making a grant to its Glasgow branch towards the cost of a training film.