HC Deb 19 July 1988 vol 137 c543W
46. Mr. Sims

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will seek to amend section 61 of the Education Act 1944 so as to permit local education authorities to charge fees for the provision of education for children under the age of five years.

Mr. Dunn

No. The Government are firmly committed to preserving free admission and education during school hours at all maintained schools. Those provisions in the Education Reform Bill, currently before Parliament, which will repeal section 61 of the 1944 Act are intended to safeguard these fundamental features of our school system.