§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which standards which apply to the provision of nursery education will be relaxed under the voucher scheme. [30476]
§ Mr. AncramI do not propose to relax any standards applying to the provision of nursery education.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of(a) the number of children who will qualify for nursery vouchers and (b) the lengths of time they will be qualified. [30481]
§ Mr. AncramI estimate that approximately 19,500 children annually will be eligible for a voucher. The length of time for which they will be eligible will depend on the date of their fourth birthday. For planning purposes we have assumed the following distribution:
476W
- Three terms: 4,400 children
- Two terms: 8,600 children
- One term: 6,500 children
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the secretary of state for Northern Ireland how many inspectors are competent and qualify to investigate provision under the nursery voucher scheme; and what proposals he has to increase these numbers. [30482].
§ Mr. AncramAt present five inspectors of the Department of Education's inspectorate are competent and qualified to inspect provision under the nursery voucher scheme.
Arrangements are being made for the recruitment of up to five additional specialist inspectors of pre-school education.