HC Deb 23 November 1978 vol 958 cc673-4W
Mr. Terry walker

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will issue circular to education authorities advising empty classrooms in infant schools for developing nursery education, rather than leaving the rooms empty and unused.

Miss Margaret Jackson

In successive years when local education authorities have been invited to submit bids for the nursery education building programme they have been advised of the desirability of adapting to nursery use primary classes vacated through falling rolls. The Department has also issued a report on education and a building bulletin describing how surplus primary space may be remodelled. My right hon. Friend therefore has no plans to issue a circular.

Mr. Terry Walker

asked the Secretary of if she will publish in the Official Report the names of any education authorities which have not taken up the financial support currently available from central Government for the provision of nursery education.

Miss Margaret Jackson

The following local education authorities did not bid in the nursery 1978–79:

  • Bromley
  • Croydon
  • Havering
  • Kingston-upon-Thames
  • Redbridge
  • Sutton
  • Dudley
  • St. Helens
  • Wirral
  • Bolton
  • Stockport
  • Rafford
  • Bradford
  • Calderdale
  • Kirklees
  • Isles of Scilly
  • Avon
  • Bedfordshire
  • Berkshire
  • Buckinghamshire
  • Cambridgeshire
  • Cumbria
  • Derbyshire
  • Dorset
  • Durham
  • East Sussex
  • Essex
  • Gloucestershire
  • Hampshire
  • Hereford and Worcester
  • 674
  • Kent
  • Leicestershire
  • Lincolnshire
  • Norfolk
  • North Yorkshire
  • Northamptonshire
  • Nottinghamshire
  • Oxfordshire
  • Salop
  • Somerset
  • Staffordshire
  • Surrey
  • West Sussex
  • Wiltshire