HC Deb 03 November 1987 vol 121 c627W
19. Mrs. Mahon

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has any plans to extend the provision of pre-five education; and if he will make a statement.

24. Mr. Loyden

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

65. Mr. Rathbone

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to encourage greater provision for nursery school education.

Mr. Dunn

I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for the City of Durham (Mr. Steinberg).

23. Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate of the current national shortage of trained nursery school teachers; and what action he has taken to meet current demands.

Mrs. Rumbold

It is not possible to estimate precisely to what extent there is a shortage of trained teachers for the early years, ages three to eight, which includes teachers in nursery schools. But information available to my Department suggests that some authorities, particularly in London, are experiencing local difficulties often exacerbated by external factors such as housing costs. To meet present and immediate future demands, the target allocation of initial teacher training places for the primary sector has been expanded by nearly 20 per cent. from 1986 to 1989. Within their allocations, institutions have been asked to give greater emphasis to early years training. This measure, together with local authorities' own recruitment campaigns, should ensure a sufficient supply of teachers for the early years.

51. Mr. McCartney

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received in relation to pre-five education; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Haynes

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received in relation to pre-five education; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dunn

On behalf of my right hon. Friend I had a most useful discussion on 9 September with representatives of the British Association for Early Childhood Education on a range of areas of concern to the association relevant to under-fives education. The association has since forwarded to my right hon. Friend a memorandum which is currently being studied.