§ Mr. MacShaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the refusal of a child's parents to participate in the nursery voucher experimental pilot scheme in Westminster will lead to the exclusion of that child from a local education authority nursery school. [17956]
§ Mr. Robin SquireA valid nursery education voucher will be necessary for a school to claim grant. It is therefore in the interests both of the parent and the school that all eligible parents apply for vouchers. In the most exceptional cases where a parent does not apply for a voucher, and subject to certain conditions, the headteacher will be able to do so on their behalf. The admissions policies local education authority maintained schools will remain the responsibility for the LEA or the governing body as the case may be.