§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the total number of nursery schools built and school places made available for each year since 1960; and what further plans he has to build sufficient nursery schools to lower the starting age in the next five years.
§ Miss LestorThe provision for under 5's available in each of the years since 1960 is as follows:
Maintained Nursery Schools Maintained Primary Schools Number of Schools Number of Pupils* number of pupils under 5 (excluding rising 5s) January 1960 454 22,877 69,457 1961 453 22,810 68,501 1962 455 23,075 72,161 1963 458 23,273 55,235 1964 460 23,672 63,622 1965 461 23,914 83,251 1966 462 23,939 69,182 1967 464 24,232 74,285 1968 467 24,315 86,110 1969 470 24,705 81,373 * Part-time pupils have been counted as half. The nursery schools and classes already approved in the first two phases of the Urban Programme will yield well over 10,000 additional nursery places in socially deprived areas, and, if used for part-time attendance, will provide for over 20,000 additional pupils. Further progress will be made as fast as resources allow.