§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the average increase in local authority day nursery charges in each of the past five years; and what action he has taken and intends to take to keep these charges as low as possible.
§ Mr. MoyleThe level of charges is a matter for each local authority to determine and no detailed information about them is available centrally. However, the total amounts collected by local authorities in England was £1.4 million in 1972–73 and £2.1 million in 1977–78, representing averages of about £1.10 and £1.50 per week, per available place, respectively. The charges raised by most authorities are thus extremely low, but I am watching current developments very carefully.