§ Mrs. LiddellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many four-year-olds were in(a) private, (b) voluntary and (c) local authority pre-school provision in each of the pilot areas of the nursery voucher scheme, for the latest date for which figures are available prior to the issuing of vouchers. [1823]
§ Mr. Raymond S. Robertson[holding answer 1 November 1996]: The information is set out in the table, except for Argyll and Bute where information is not separately identifiable for the pilot area. It is important to note that children may attend more than one type of pre-school provision.
Mr. Robertson[holding answer 1 November 1996]: Precise information on the numbers of eligible parents is not available. The four pilot authorities have estimated that there are 3,763 eligible children in the pilot areas. As at 25 October, 3,716 books of vouchers had been issued.
§ Mrs. LiddellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from pre-school providers outside the pilot areas whose rolls have decreased as a result of the piloting phase of the nursery voucher scheme; and if he will list the providers. [1826]
§ Mr. Robertson[holding answer 1 November 1996]: My right hon. Friend has received one such representation.
§ Mrs. LiddellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many providers have received initial validation to accept voucher-bearing children in(a) public, (b) private and (c) voluntary sectors. [1828]
§ Mr. Robertson[holding answer 1 November 1996]: Centres in the pilot areas are registered for the use of vouchers only if they are already subject to inspection by HM inspectorate, or if the HMI, having examined its profile of education provision, is satisfied of their capacity to deliver quality education. There are currently 152 centres registered as eligible to redeem vouchers—64 public sector, 18 private sector and 70 voluntary sector.