HC Deb 16 March 1988 vol 129 c582W
Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make a statement on the provision of education for the under-sixes;

(2) what was the cost of producing the review of education provision for the under six-year-olds prior to its abandonment;

(3) why his Department cancelled the review of education provision for the under six-year-olds; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The review was discontinued to allow resources to be concentrated on more urgent matters. Work on it formed part of the overall functions undertaken by Her Majesty's inspectorate of schools and professional staff in the social work services group, and was not separately costed. I see no case at present for changing the existing arrangements under which regional and Islands councils have discretion over the extent and content of provision for pre-school children.