§ Mr. Hornbyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what would be the cost of providing by 1980–81 part-time nursery places for 75 per cent. of three-year-olds, 90 per cent. of four-year-olds and full-time places for 20 per cent. of three- and four-year-olds; and how these costs compare with those for providing the number of nursery places proposed in the recent White Paper.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasWhile forecasts as far ahead as 1981 are bound to be tentative for the reasons explained in the White Paper, I estimate that to make provision for 75 per cent. of three-year-olds and 90 per cent. of four-year-olds in 1981–82, including full-time places for 20 per cent. of both age groups, would cost about £140 million in recurrent expenditure in that year. The corresponding figure for the provision proposed in the White Paper would be about £120 million. Extra capital expenditure of about £70 million spread over the years up to 1981–82 would be needed to reach the higher target.