§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will provide additional funds for nursery centres in educationally deprived areas such as Pinxton in the Bolsover constituency; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonIn allocating the capital resources available for nursery education, my right hon. Friend gives priority to projects that will provide for children with educational and social disadvantages. Any proposal from the Derbyshire local education authority for nursery education provision in Pinxton would be considered on this basis.
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§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will commission a study into the expansion and development of nursery education for all children whose parents wish to make use of it; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonWhile my right hon. Friend acknowledges the value of nursery education, economic constraints mean that the Government's expenditure plans can allow only for its maintenance at about its present level.
§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many nursery school places were available to the under-fives in 1979, 1980, 1981 and the nearest available date in 1982.
§ Dr. BoysonThe information requested for 1979, 1980 and 1981 is contained in statistical bulletin 4/82, a copy of which I am sending the hon. Member. Comparable information for 1982 is not yet available.