§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many children under the age of five years in Wales receive nursery education; what were the corresponding figures for the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John Stradling ThomasThe information on pupils aged under five years in maintained nursery schools, for the years 1974 to 1984, is as follows:
142W
Under five's* in maintained nursery schools At January each year Full-time Part-time Total 1974 1,513 2,787 4,300 1975 1,476 2,975 4,451 1976 1,608 2,887 4,495 1977 1,722 2,720 4,442
Under five's* in maintained nursery schools At January each year Full-time Part-time Total 1978 1,767 2,790 4,557 1979 1,800 2,785 4,585 1980 1,692 2,624 4,316 1981 1,594 2,591 4,185 1982 1,464 2,654 4,118 1983 1,467 2,856 4,323 1984 1,460 2,962 4,422 * Aged as 31 December. Information on pupils in nursery classes in maintained primary schools, which is available from 1980, is as follows:
Pupils in nursery classes in maintained primary schools At January each year Full-time Part-time Total 1980 6,323 10,199 16,522 1981 5,936 10,384 16,320 1982 6,127 11,412 17,539 1983 5,969 12,625 18,594 1984 6,110 13,694 19,804