§ Dame Joan Vickersasked the Prime Minister if he will transfer responsibility 342W for play centres to the Department of Education and Science.
§ The Prime MinisterNo. Responsibility for the inspection and registration of play groups will be transferred from local health authorities to social service departments on 1st January, 1971, under the Local Authority Social Services Act passed by the last Parliament. But my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science is aware of the valuable educational services provided by many play groups and makes a grant to the Pre-School Play Groups Association and the Save the Children Fund on this account. In addition, many local education authorities assist play groups in a variety of ways, and I hope there will be close relationships between social service departments and local education authorities on the needs of young children.