§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made in the expansion of nursery schools in recent years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonBetween 1977 and 1981 the number of children receiving nursery education in LEA maintained schools increased by some 35,000 to about 222,000. This increase arose mainly through increased part-time attendance at nursery classes attached to primary schools. Provisional statistics for 1982 indicate a further increase in numbers.