§ Mr. Orbachasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many pre-school play centres and/or nursery schools there are situated in Stockport, and how many of these receive State or local aid;
(2) what representations have been made with regard to the opening of pre-school play centres or nursery schools in the county borough of Stockport, and when he proposes taking a decision with regard to these.
§ Mr. AlisonForty-one premises are registered under the nurseries and Child Minders Regulation Act, 1948, to provide sessional care for pre-school children. None receives State or local aid. The county borough council have submitted proposals for financial support to preschool playgroups and the appointment of372W a playgroups organiser to be grant-aided under the Urban Programme. These proposals will be considered after 28th May, the closing date for submissions in the current phase of the programme.
I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science, that there are five nursery schools in Stockport maintained by the local authority and that their proposal to establish a sixth has been approved under the Urban Programme.
§ Mr. Orbachasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has for the provision of pre-school play centres or nursery schools in high density areas where no such facilities at present exist.
§ Mr. AlisonIt is our policy to encourage local authorities in England, as resources permit, to assist the development of pre-school playgroups to provide for children with special health or social needs. Further proposals for such assistance in areas of social deprivation to be grant-aided under the Urban Programme will shortly be considered.
Nursery education in England is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science; about 15,000 additional places in nursery schools and classes in areas of multiple social deprivation have been approved under the Urban Programme.