HC Deb 18 October 1995 vol 264 cc288-9W
Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on the progress of her plans for nursery education for four-year-olds. [36841]

Mr. Robin Squire

It was announced yesterday that phase 1 of the pre-school education voucher scheme would take place in Wandsworth, Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea.

My right hon. Friend is currently consulting on various elements of the new pre-school education voucher scheme. She will publish detailed proposals for implementation of the new scheme later in the year, after considering consultation responses.

Around 160 companies expressed interest in administering the voucher scheme. A shortlist of companies have been invited to tender for the contract, and the contractor will be appointed around the end of October.

Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the approximate additional cost for places per year for any local education authority entering the original pilot scheme for nursery school vouchers; which authorities have made firm applications to participate; and what are the net additional costs or financial benefits to each such authority. [37226]

Mr. Rooker

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on recent progress in respect of implementing her policy of vouchers for pre-school nursery education; and if she will list participating local education authorities indicating in each case their political control. [37065]

Mr. Robin Squire

My right hon. Friend is currently consulting on various elements of the new pre-school education voucher scheme. She will publish detailed proposals for implementation of the new scheme later in the year, after considering consultation responses.

It was announced yesterday that the local education authorities participating in phase I of the voucher scheme will be Wandsworth, Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea. These are all Conservative-controlled authorities.

The additional costs or financial benefit to each authority will depend on the level at which it currently funds places, decisions on the provision of new places in maintained schools and the operation of parental choice.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her oral statement of 6 July,Official Report, columns 517–19, if additional funding, above the value of the voucher, will be provided for children defined as at risk under the Children Act 1989. [36180]

Mr. Robin Squire

It will be for local authorities to continue to spend resources in addition to the value of the voucher on children defined as at risk under the Children Act 1989.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her oral statement of 6 July,Official Report, columns 517–19, where responsibility for planning the provision of pre-school places for all four year olds will rest. [36171]

Mr. Robin Squire

Pre-school places for four year olds will be provided by the maintained, private and voluntary sectors in response to parental demand expressed through the vouchers parents will receive.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to her oral statement of 6 July,Official Report, columns 517–19, how she envisages that parents will make an informed choice between the providers available locally. [36153]

Mr. Robin Squire

Parents will be able to obtain information about all providers in their locality. To be eligible to redeem pre-school education vouchers, each institution will be required to publish information about its activities, which will allow parents to make an informed choice.