HC Deb 23 May 1995 vol 260 c537W
19. Mr. Denham

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment she has made of the need for nursery education in Hampshire. [23829]

Mr. Forth

It is for local education authorities to determine the need for education provision for children below compulsory school age.

22. Sir David Madel

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what are her future plans for the development of nursery education; and if she will make a statement. [23832]

Mr. Forth

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has set a target to provide, over time, a pre-school place for all four-year-olds whose parents wish to take it up. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the official task force have been consulting widely with a view to drawing up detailed proposals for the expansion.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State what has been the amount of money given from her Department to London borough councils to help with the provision of nursery schooling in each of the last two years. [23823]

Mr. Forth

In 1994–95 local education authorities in London received in total in their education standard spending assessment some £189.870 million in respect of the population of children aged 0 to 4 in their area. In 1995–96 the figure was £199.198 million. How much each local authority spends on nursery provision is a matter solely for the local authority concerned.