§ Mr. MillsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what is the estimated cost of providing nursery education through the proposed voucher scheme in Solihull in 1995–96; [38794]
(2) what is the cost of the provision of nursery education provided by Solihull council in 1995 and 1996; [38793]
(3) what estimate she has made of how many additional pupils will be recruited to her nursery scheme in Solihull by the voucher scheme. [38792]
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe cost of providing nursery education through the nursery voucher scheme, and the number of additional places that will be created, will depend on parental choice and the response of providers in the area.
The current cost of nursery education provided by Solihull council is not held centrally.
§ Mr. MillsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what powers she has in respect of the provision of nursery education by local authorities. [38791]
§ Mr. SquireMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment may give notice to a local authority that a statutory proposal published by the authority to establish a new nursery class in a county school or to cease to maintain a nursery school or nursery class, requires her approval.