HC Deb 15 February 1993 vol 219 cc49-50W
Mrs. Helen Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many nursery places have been lost through school closures in the primary sector in 1991–92.

Mr. Forth

Information on the effects of school closures on nursery places is not collected centrally in the form requested. The number of full-time and part-time pupils attending maintained nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools in England increased from 318,000 in January 1991 to 330,000 in January 1992.

Mrs. Helen Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what guidelines are issued to local education authorities in connection with reducing surplus places in the primary sector to protect (a) nursery places and (b) purpose-built nursery resources.

Mr. Forth

No specific guidelines have been issued. It is initially for LEAs to decide in the light of local circumstances the most appropriate means of rationalising school provision. We would expect LEAs to consult all interested parties before deciding on such action.

Mr. Steinberg

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will list the total number of(a) full-time nursery teachers and (b) part-time nursery teachers in state schools for each year since 1982.

Mr. Forth

Information on the numbers of qualified nursery teachers in nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools in England in January of each year from 1982 to 1992 are shown in the table.

Qualified teachers in nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools
Full-time teachers Full-time equivalent of part-time teachers
1992 6,815 492.1
1991 6,851 434.5
1990 6,784 364.8
1989 6,674 291.1
1988 6,687 240.5
1987 6,460 259.3
1986 6,333 220.0
1985 6,205 186.6
1984 6,094 167.1
1983 6,113 152.8
1982 5,989 150.3