§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now make a statement on his 38W Department's forward planning for nursery school provision.
§ Mr. ArmstrongThe Government's aim is to make provision as soon as possible for nursery education for children of 3 and 4 years of age, mainly on a part-time basis. In pursuing this aim particular urgency is attached to meeting the needs of disadvantaged children. This position and the priority attached to nursery education is shown by the protection given to nursery education building starts during 1974–75. I cannot yet make a statement about resources in subsequent years.