§ Mr. J. E. B. Hillasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the estimated number and cost of additional nursery school places needed in the education priority areas within the urban programme; and what proportion of this need will be satisfied by the 10,000 new places so far planned.
§ Miss LestorOn the assumptions and recommendations made by the Plowden Council, places in nursery schools and classes for about 115,000 children in educational priority areas would be needed by 1972–73. In January, 1969 there were 97,000 children under five164W (excluding rising fives) in nursery and primary schools maintained by the 86 relevant local education authorities. Many of these children were in priority areas, and the 10,000 additional nursery places so far approved under the Urban Programme at a capital cost of £2.7 million will make a substantial contribution towards meeting the remaining need. More nursery places will be provided under later phases of the urban programme in the next financial year.