§ 15. Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations she has received about nursery education in East Sussex. [20137]
§ Mr. Robin SquireEast Sussex county council responded to the Department's two recent consultation documents on the nursery education voucher scheme, but ultimately decided not to take part in phase 1.
§ Mr. WatersonIs my hon. Friend aware that, immediately after our right hon. Friend's announcement, I wrote to her asking whether East Sussex could be considered for participation in the pilot scheme? However, as we have heard, the Liberal Democrat chair of education in East Sussex dismissed participation out of hand for purely political reasons. Is my hon. Friend aware that I have received representations from hundreds of parents in my constituency who are angry and disappointed that a whole raft of children will be denied the opportunity to benefit from the vouchers?
§ Mr. SquireI fully share my hon. Friend's disappointment at the local education authority's response: it is a great opportunity lost to parents and to children. If East Sussex had taken part, like Norfolk, it might this week be publishing proposals to provide for 25 new classes covering 300 children.