HC Deb 23 October 1979 vol 972 cc123-4W
16. Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he now has to expand the number of nursery school places.

Mr. Macfarlane

My Department's building programme for 1979–80 will add 4,000 new places and we expect to include provision in the 1980–81 programme for about a further 2,000 places.

31. Mr. Straw

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total number of places in nursery schools and classes in non-metropolitan counties in 1978–79; and what is his estimate of the same in 1980–81.

Dr. Boyson

The number of pupils attending nursery schools, or nursery classes in primary schools, in non-metropolitan counties in England in January 1979 was 94,363. It is estimated that the corresponding figure for January 1981 will be about 100,000.