HC Deb 18 November 1982 vol 32 c251W
Mr. McNally

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many (a) 3-year-olds and (b) 4-year-olds in Scotland were involved in no form of education or other pre-school educational experience in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

The number of 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds not in education is shown in the following table:

1979 1980 1981
3-year-olds not in education 51,400 48,500 49,000
4-year-olds not in education 34,700 30,900 27,800

More than half these children attended play groups, but separate figures for 3 and 4-year-olds are not available centrally.