§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many new pre-school places have been created in the constituency of Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East since May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [131205]
§ Ms Hodge[holding answer 18 July 2000]: Since this Government came to office, 120,000 new, free, early education places have been created for three and four-year-olds nationally. Data on early years education places are not available by constituency, but we have provided sufficient funding to ensure that all four-year-olds and the majority of three-year-olds in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland receive a free, part time, early education place.