§ Paddy AshdownTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 4 July 2000,Official Report, column 121W, for what reason he estimates that 10.9 per cent. of three-year-olds in Somerset will have a free early years educational place by April 2001; and if he will make a statement. [131499]
§ Ms Hodge[holding answer 20 July 2000]: In 2000–01, Somerset local education authority was allocated funding to provide 112 free early education places for three-year-olds, in addition to around 500 places already available in their schools. In total, this would mean that 10.9 per cent. of three-year-olds in the Somerset local education authority area would have had access to a free, early education place.
I am sure the right hon. Gentleman will be pleased to note, however, that Somerset local education authority has now been allocated further funding to provide a total of 250 new early education places in the autumn term 2000 and the spring term 2001. This means that by April 2001, around 13.5 per cent. of three-year-olds in the Somerset local education authority will have access to a free, early education place.
§ Dr. HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what extra expenditure announced in the comprehensive spending review is to be made available for early years provision in(a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04. [133115]
§ Ms HodgeThe detail of the Comprehensive Spending Review and its effect on early years provision has yet to be finalised. An announcement will be made in due course.