§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what was the total public expenditure on(a) nursery schools and classes and (b) children under five in reception classes, in each year since 1989–90; and what was the total public expenditure on these services as a percentage of the gross domestic product for England;
(2) what was the average cost in 1993–94 of a full-time equivalent place in (a) a nursery class and (b) a nursery school.
§ Mr. Robin SquireThis information is not collected centrally.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Euducation what work has been, or is being, undertaken to examine the relative costs and benefits of providing education and day care services for children under the age of five years.
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe Government are exploring a range of possible ways of making education provision for children under five years old more widely available as resources allow. The review is examining the relative cost-effectiveness and quality of different forms of provision, bearing in mind the rich diversity of current provision and the preferences of parents. Day care provision for children is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.