HC Deb 01 December 1981 vol 14 cc128-9
8. Mrs. Renee Short

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has to expand the provision of nursery education within the State system.

Dr. Boyson

There is provision in the Government's expenditure plans for modest capital expenditure to enable those authorities that wish to do so to increase their nursery accommodation, mainly by converting spare primary accommodation.

Mrs. Short

Why did the Minister introduce new regulations concerning the attendance of children in nursery classes? Is it not essential to expand nursery education now, with the help of the Government, bearing in mind that such a large number of families, particularly in deprived areas, are living close to the poverty line, thanks to the Government's policies?

Dr. Boyson

A total of 6,000 more children were in nursery education in January this year compared with January last year. The hon. Lady may be interested in the figures for Wolverhampton. In 1980, 62 per cent. of 3- and 4-year olds were in nursery and primary schools, whereas in January 1981 the figure had increased to 65 per cent.

Mr. Stokes

Is my hon. Friend aware that in present circumstances it may be no bad thing not to expand nursery education, so that more young children can be at home with their mothers?

Dr. Boyson

We always welcome my hon. Friend's interventions, and we shall undoubtedly take his views into account.

Mr. Kinnock

Is the Minister aware that we wish there had been nursery schools when the hon. Member for Halesowen and Stourbridge (Mr. Stokes) was young?

Mr. Cryer

There is room for improvement; he was brought up in a cave.

Mr. Kinnock

Is the hon. Gentleman further aware that the Select Committee, the Rampton committee and, most important of all, the Scarman committee, have put strong emphasis on the need to increase and improve nursery facilities? Instead of announcing modest capital expenditure, will he now announce an increase in current expenditure to facilitate that development?

Dr. Boyson

I am sure that the House would be much poorer without the interventions of my hon. Friend the Member for Halesowen and Stourbridge (Mr. Stokes). Had he attended nursery school instead of a home playgroup, and had his views changed as a result, we would all have been the worse for it.

There is, no doubt, a case for nursery schools in certain circumstances. The hon. Member for Eccles (Mr. Carter-Jones) talked earlier about positive discrimination. It is good to know that of the 6,000 extra nursery places in January this year, 5,000 were in urban areas. Without doubt, nursery places are most helpful in areas with a large number of one-parent families, ethnic deprivation and inner-city problems.

Mr. John MacKay

Does my hon. Friend accept that a vast expansion of nursery education would be equivalent to lowering the starting age of children at school? Would it not be far better to encourage the pre-school playgroup movement?

Dr. Boyson

The pre-school playgroup movement has been the greatest self-help movement since the war. We should do all that we can to pump-prime it. I believe that it will celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary in 1982 and is planning a special week. I trust that all hon. Members will take an interest in the movement at that time.