HC Deb 22 January 1970 vol 794 c176W
Mr. Bishop

asked 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 Lestor

The 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.