§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pre-school education places were available in England at the latest available date; and what percentage that number is of the total number of children in the relevant age group.
§ Mr. ForthInformation on the number of education places is not available. In January 1994, there were 675,000 pupils below compulsory school age in maintained nursery and primary schools in England, of whom 347,000 were in nursery provision. The participation rates were 52 per cent. and 27 per cent. respectively.