HC Deb 15 April 1954 vol 526 cc136-7W
45. Mr. Paget

asked the Minister of Education whether she will now withdraw Circular 155 which bans the opening of new nursery schools.

Mr. Pickthorn

No. It is still necessary to concentrate on providing for children of compulsory school age.

50. Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Minister of Education how many nursery schools have been provided in England, Wales and Newport, separately; what is the total accommodation for children in each; how many are in course of con struction; and what plans are being prepared for their further extension for each of the coming five years under the Education Act, 1944, in view of the growing necessity for the provision of such schools.

Mr. Pickthorn

In January, 1954, the numbers of maintained and direct grant nursery schools in England, Wales and Newport were 439, 38 and three, and the numbers of children on the rolls of these schools were 21,556, 1,913 and 90, respectively. Four new nursery schools are in course of construction. My right hon. Friend cannot remove the present restrictions on the provision of new nursery schools so long as it is necessary to concentrate her building resources on providing for children of compulsory school age.