asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans his Department has to encourage voluntary organisations and playgroups to extend their facilities so that mothers working part-time can make full use of them.

In addition to the circulars referred to in my reply to another question today from my hon. Friend, my Department is providing over £200,000 to voluntary organisations in 1978–79 to support the extension of their work in the provision of playgroups and other day-care facilities for young children. The children of mothers working part-time should benefit from this, although playgroups usually provide care for a few hours at a time only.