§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will publish a league table indicating public education provision for under-fives in Europe.
§ Mr. ForthThe centrally available information given in the table shows that public and private participation rates combined as separate participation rates are not available. There are also some differences between countries in the 19W distinction drawn between education and day care. If the United Kingdom figure is broadened to include nursery schools, nursery classes, infant classes, pre-school play groups and group day care, the participation rate of three and four-year-olds rises to over 90 per cent.
Proportion of the age group in education (per cent.) 1989 Ages1 3 to 4 Belgium2 96 Finland2 18 France 99 Germany 52 Ireland 27 Italy (estimated)2 76 Netherlands 49 Norway 40 Spain 53 Sweden 42 United Kingdom 46(50)3 1 Excluding two year olds in nursery education. 2 1988 data. 3 1991 data.