§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the number of nursery school places which will be available in each of the next three years.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe provision of nursery school places is a matter for local authorities to decide, in the light of their own policies and local circumstances. However, the Government have given a long-term commitment to provide quality pre-school places for all four-year-olds whose parents wish to take them up, with the first new places being provided during the life of this Parliament. Detailed proposals are currently being worked up, following preliminary consultations with interested bodies. Against this background, it would be premature to provide estimates of the number of nursery places which might be available in the future.