Pre-school Playgroups

HC Deb 23 March 1979 vol 964 cc807-8W

Mr. Reid

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will detail in the Official Report the help provided by the Scottish Office to pre-school playgroups in Scotland in each of the last five years.

Mr. McElhone

Government grant is paid annually to the Scottish Pre-school Playgroups Association to assist with its development work, including approved capital expenditure, and for training programmes. Grant offered in the last five years is as follows:

			£
1974–75	…	…	21,600
1975–76	…	…	33,800
1976–77	…	…	42,100
1977–78	…	…	51,200
1978–79	…	…	60,900

Grant may also be paid to local authorities under the urban programme to promote playgroups in areas of special need. Grant paid for this purpose in the last five years is as follows:

intends to make a further statement as soon as possible.