Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if she will make a statement on the assistance provided by the Department to help local authorities to provide nursery places where there is a demand by parents. [30763]
646W
§ Mr. ForthAt present, it is for local education authorities to determine their spending priorities including the level of pre-school education at the schools they maintain. My right hon. Friend will announce soon how the Prime Minister's commitment to provide, over time, a pre-school place for all four-year-olds whose parents wish to take it up will he fulfilled.