§ 8. Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the estimated population of nursery school age in Portsmouth; how many nursery schools there are in the city; and what is the total number of places available within them.
§ Miss BaconThere were about 10,000 children aged over two and under five in Portsmouth in January, 1967, of whom 726 were attending school. Forty-two of these were in the one nursery school and a Further 81, 12 attending part-time, were in four nursery classes.
§ Mr. JuddDoes my right hon. Friend agree that that is an indication of the inadequacy of the service? Ought not every encouragement to be given to extend it as rapidly as possible?
§ Miss BaconYes, Sir; my hon. Friend will have heard from an Answer to Question No. 4 that we should like to extend it, but we have to have regard to resources and to teacher supply.