HC Deb 20 October 1992 vol 212 cc264-5W
13. Mr. Pickthall

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what measures he intends to introduce to assist local authorities to provide an adequate number of nursery places to meet the demands of all those parents who wish such a place for their children.

Mr. Forth

As I said in my reply to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn), earlier today, it is for local authorities to determine the scale and form of provision for the under-fives. But the House would wish to be reminded that 175,000 more under-fives attended maintained schools in England in 1991 than in 1979; and that 90 per cent. of three- and four-year-olds now enjoy education or group child care or both.