§ Mr. Pikeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many new nursery schools or nursery classes were opened in 1984 and how many were closed.
§ Mr. DunnInformation is not available in the form requested. However, between January and November 1984, 76 proposals made under sections 12 or 13 of the Education Act 1980 were approved by my right hon. Friend, or determined by the local education authority concerned, to change significantly the character of primary schools by the introduction of nursery classes. During the same period my right hon. Friend approved no proposals to close nursery schools or to cease providing nursery classes in primary schools. The continuing need to remove surplus school places from use did result, however, in the approval or local determination of proposals to close a number of primary schools which provided nursery classes. In such cases local education authorities normally ensure that alternative nursery provision is available, and the availability of such an alternative is one of the factors which my right hon. Friend takes into account when considering these proposals.