§ 5. Sir A. Meyerasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many nursery places will be made available by 1976 to children in Wales below five years of age under the proposals contained in the Government White Paper, Cmnd. 5174.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI propose to invite local education authorities early in the New Year to submit their bids for the nursery programme announced in the White Paper. The number of places to be programmed by 1976 will be decided after their proposals have been studied.
§ Sir A. MeyerDoes my right hon. and learned Friend agree that the far-reaching proposals—even if unfortunately not yet very detailed—which are outlined in the White Paper have given great satisfaction to the many people who have for a long time been pressing for an extension of nursery education?
§ Mr. ThomasI agree with my hon. Friend. The response that I have had from people who are interested in this branch of the education service has been considerable. The White Paper announcement, particularly on nursery education, has been extremely well received.
§ Mr. Alec JonesWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that many areas such as Rhondda traditionally send their children to school at the age of three? What we do not want from the right hon. and learned Gentleman is any attempt to restrict Rhondda 894 from doing that in accordance with the White Paper.
§ Mr. ThomasI think that over the last 2½ years we have had a very good record in the provision of service for children under five in Wales in particular under the urban aid programme. Local education authorities are now free to go ahead and provide nursery education from their own resources. This may result in the expansion of nursery provision before additional new buildings become available.