HC Deb 04 May 1994 vol 242 cc584-6W
Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his written answer of 18 April,Official Report, column 379, concerning the number of children attending pre-school activities, if he will (a) estimate the numbers attending more than one category of provision and (b) those attending pre-school playgroups with members of the Pre-school Playgroups Association, in (i) 1993 and (ii) 1994.

Mr. Robin Squire

The Department does not collect information on how many children attend more than one form of pre-school provision in the course of a year, but the proportion is thought to be relatively small. I am informed by the Pre-School Playgroups Association that as at Janaury 1993 there were 771,397 children attending playgroups in membership of the Association. Data are not yet available for 1994, but the Association estimates that the total number of children attending member playgroups will be very close to the 1993 total.

Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he has taken to establish, or estimate, the level of parental demand for nursery education in all or part of(a) England and (b) Wales.

Mr. Robin Squire

Evidence from a variety of sources suggests that most parents want some form of provision before age five, and that many wish to have a choice of provision besides state nursery education. Nursery education in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.