§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children are currently in nursery places in Lancashire; what percentage this is of the children of nursery age; and what estimate she has made of the change in each case from the introduction of the nursery voucher scheme. [24876]
§ Mr. Robin SquireIn January 1995, the latest date for which information is available, 8,130 or 21 per cent. of children aged three and four were being taught in maintained nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools in Lancashire Local Education Authority area. In addition, 12,867 or 33 per cent. of children aged three and four were being taught in infant classes in maintained primary schools.
397WThe number of additional places for four-year-olds created through the nursery voucher scheme in any local authority area will depend on the response of providers to parental demand. I am confident that providers of all types, either alone or in partnership, will satisfy parental demand over time.