HC Deb 27 June 1968 vol 767 c789
8. Mr. Judd

asked 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 Bacon

There 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. Judd

Does 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 Bacon

Yes, 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.