§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what dates he plans to make the admission of children to school at four years of age compulsory in all areas; and if he will take steps in the meantime to encourage admission at this age on a voluntary basis, particularly in education priority areas.
§ Miss LestorIn January. 1969 there were about 876,000 four-year-old children in England and Wales, of whom nearly one-third were in school.
My right hon. Friend has no plans to make attendance at school compulsory from the age of four but I attach great importance to nursery education on a voluntary basis. Well over 10,000 additional full-time nursery places have been approved so far in areas of social deprivation under the urban programme, and further progress will be made as fast as resources allow.