HC Deb 29 March 1971 vol 814 cc1145-6
29. Mr. Barry Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy on nursery schools.

Mr. Peter Thomas

It is as outlined in Circular 8/60.

Mr. Jones

First, would the Secretary of State not agree that, subject to parental approval, it would be a desirable objective that children of two years of age should have part-time nursery schooling? Secondly, could the Secretary of State tell us when he intends to visit his first Welsh nursery School? Has he visited one?

Mr. Peter Thomas

I visited a nursery school in Newport a few months ago. As the hon. Gentleman knows, I give priority to the improvement of old and inadequate primary schools. We shall re-examine our policy on nursery education when this programme has taken effect.