HC Deb 31 January 1989 vol 146 c161W
14. Mr. Loyden

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many under-fives have been placed in nursery education; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

Figures to be published shortly by my right hon. Friend show that, in January 1988, 285,000 children were in nursery schools or classes in England. Another 248,000 under-fives were in infant classes. The combined figure has increased by nearly 25 per cent. in eight years.