HC Deb 11 May 1972 vol 836 cc1537-9
14. Mr. Barry Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will pay a series of official visits to nursery schools.

32. Mr. Jessel

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans she has to visit nursery schools.

Mrs. Thatcher

I have no plans for such a series. Nursery classes are included in visits I make. Nursery schools in Wales are of course the responsibility of my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

Mr. Jones

Is the right hon. Lady aware that in 1971 she did not visit a single nursery school as such? Why is she so lukewarm towards establishments which can be of such tremendous help to the children of working-class families in cities and rural areas alike?

Mrs. Thatcher

I did not visit a single nursery school as such. I visited a number of nursery classes. I fail to see the difference that the hon. Gentleman is straining to make. There is increasing provision for nursery places. It is not as fast as I should wish, but it is increasing.

Mr. Jessel

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a growing consciousness of the benefits that nursery education can confer, and will she bear this in mind in making plans for the future?

Mrs. Thatcher

I agree that there is a growing consciousness, and I accept the educational case for increased nursery provision. But this is one of many desirable improvements for which one cannot immediately find funds. I am sure that my hon. Friend appreciates that point.

Miss Lestor

May I push the right hon. Lady a little on this? Surely she was impressed by the strength of feeling that was expressed by the lobby here last Tuesday and by the number of people who signed the petition calling for more nursery education. I speak for large numbers of people who feel that if the right hon. Lady would take upon herself a tour of nursery schools she might have her impressions and enthusiasm for this form of education quickened. There is a growing feeling that we are deluding ourselves when we talk about equality of opportunity in education when we deprive so many of our pre-school children of this facility and discriminate against them by having only a very small amount available.

Mrs. Thatcher

Yes, but when the hon. Lady was a junior Minister in the Department she was successful in resisting the feeling to which she has just referred—

Miss Lestor

That is quite untrue.

Mrs. Thatcher

—for the identical reasons. The hon. Lady herself firmly believed in more nursery education but she was not able to find the resources with which to increase the provision as fast as she wished and as fast as I should wish. We are in no different position in that respect.

Miss Lestor

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. The right hon. Lady will be aware that it was her own Government which put the ban on the further development of nursery education—

Mr. Speaker

Order. This is not a point of order.