§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has as to which local authorities have reduced the number of places in day nurseries since 1979; and what has been the percentage reduction in each case.
§ Mrs. CurrieThirty two local authorities in England reduced their number of day nursery places between 1981 and 1985 and the following table shows the percentage reduction in each case.
Local authority Percentage change 1981–851 Cleveland -7.4 Durham -16.7 North Tyneside 2-1.1 South Tyneside -43.5 Sheffield -5.4 Wakefield 2-71.4 Cheshire -4.7 Bolton -12.6 Knowsley -16.7 Wirral -4.5 Coventry -23.1 Berkshire 2-62.7 Cambridgeshire -2.8 Hertfordshire -53.4 Suffolk -21.4 Hammersmith -1.9 Wandsworth -6.6 Westminster -8.0 Barking -10.3 Ealing -2.8 Enfield -6.9 Havering -10.5 Merton -14.4 Newham -1.2 Richmond upon Thames -4.6 Waltham Forest -1.8 Dorset 2-23.8 Hampshire -7.1 Kent 2-53.1 East Sussex -40.9 Devon 2-75.7 Gloucestershire 2-57.3 1 For some authorities the percentage change is based on estimated figures for 1981 or 1985. 2 In these authorities there were less than 100 day nursery places provided by the local authority in 1985 and so the percentage changes are based on relatively small numbers. The information relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales, Northern Ireland, and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.