§ Mr. John Smithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new nursery schools or classes have been opened in Scotland since 1960 to the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellBetween January, 1960, and January, 1972, the numbers of nursery schools and classes increased by 28 and 76, respectively.
§ Mr. John Smithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of three- to five-year-olds attend nursery schools or classes in each education authority in Scotland; and what is the percentage for Scotland as a whole.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellIt is provisionally estimated that at January, 1972, 5.8 per cent. of three-year-olds and 9.8 per cent. of four-year-olds, comprising 7.8 per cent. of the total population of three- and four-year-olds in Scotland, were attending nursery schools or classes in education authority and grant-aided schools. A very small proportion of five-year-olds (0.3 per cent.) were also receiving nursery education, but the great majority of this age were in primary schools. It is not possible to give the percentages for each education authority area in Scotland, since information about the population of each age group is not available by area.