§ Mr. KeenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what extra resources the Government will be allocating to local authorities which already provide nursery education for four-year-olds to assist their transition to the nursery vouchers. [8278]
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe transitional costs for local authorities will be minimal because most of the voucher administration will be handled by a private company specifically appointed for the purpose.
§ Mr. KeenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is her latest estimate of the cost of introducing nursery vouchers. [8276]
§ Mr. SquireBased on current data, the total cost of the nursery education voucher scheme in 1997–98 is estimated at £750 million, of which £185 million will be new money made available by the Government.
§ Mr. KeenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many qualified nursery teachers and nursery nurses are required to provide nursery education to all those in receipt of vouchers; and if she will make a statement. [8280]
§ Mr. SquireThe number of qualified nursery teachers and nursery nurses that will be required will depend on the way in which parents exercise the choice which nursery vouchers gives them.