asked the President of the Board of Education whether he proposes to make it compulsory for local authorities to provide nursery schools for the children of women anxious to help the war effort?

Provision for the purpose will, I think, best be made by means of war-time nurseries. In Circular 1553, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, I have asked local education authorities to co-operate to the full with maternity and child welfare authorities in the establishment of these nurseries. The arrangements proposed do not involve compulsion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that owing to limited accommodation for the children of women war-workers our war effort is being impeded?

I fully appreciate the importance of the problem, and we are trying to push forward a scheme for war nurseries as rapidly as possible.