HC Deb 09 March 1972 vol 832 cc1636-8
16 and 35. Mr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if she is satisfied with the numbers of children receiving nursery education in the Upper Agbrigg Education Division of the West Riding, and if she will make a statement;

(2) if she is satisfied with the provision of nursery education in the Colne Valley Urban District of the Upper Agbrigg Education Division of the West Riding; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. van Straubenzee

Information about parts of the West Riding is not collected by the Department. In the West Riding as a whole the number of pupils under five, excluding rising-5's, rose from 4,400 to 6,400 during 1970, and over 400 additional places in nursery classes have been approved there under the urban programme in the last year.

Mr. Clark

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply, but it is extremely disappointing. Is he aware that, if he is satisfied with it the people in the area are not? Is there any chance of increasing the number of nursery school places in the West Riding?

Mr. van Straubenzee

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will do me the kindness of reflecting on the figures when he has had a chance to see them in writing. I think that they show an agreeable increase. If he asks me whether I am satisfied, the answer, of course, is "No".

19. Mrs. Renée

Short asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals she now has for the further expansion of nursery education for the three- to five-year-olds, either under the urban aid programme or otherwise; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. van Straubenzee

Nearly 18,000 additional nursery places in England have been approved under the urban programme. Local authorities will be asked shortly to submit further proposals.

Mrs. Short

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply, but does not he think that the time has come to make considerable increases in the number of nursery places being provided? Should not he give local authorities freedom to do this themselves, if they have the available classroom space and teachers, by withdrawing Circular 8/60? Cannot he bring his influence to bear on his right hon. Friend, who is being very coy with me? I have been trying for the last six weeks or so to persuade her to receive a deputation from the Nursery Schools Association, and she refuses all the time. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will use his good offices to persuade the right hon. Lady to receive us.

Mr. van Straubenzee

May I make a suggestion to the hon. Lady—[HON. MEMBERS: "Shame!"] We are likely to be working late in the House, and I shall be available constantly.

Mrs. Knight

Even at this late stage, will not my hon. Friend reconsider the proposal to extend the school leaving age at the other end of the school period by putting it on to the beginning of the period?

Mr. van Straubenzee

I understand very well how strongly my hon. Friend feels on the subject of nursery school places, but at this late stage, certainly, there can be no question of going back on the decision to raise the statutory school leaving age.