HC Deb 16 October 1996 vol 282 cc925-6W
23. Mr. Rathbone

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to extend the operation of nursery vouchers in Scotland. [38730]

Mr. Raymond S. Robertson

The pre-school education voucher initiative is currently being piloted in four local authority areas in Scotland. It will be extended to the whole of Scotland from August next year.

30. Mr. Ian Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of pilot schemes for nursery vouchers in Scotland. [38739]

Mr. Robertson

The pilot schemes of the pre-school education initiative in Scotland have been under way for barely two months, but already there are indications that they are progressing well: over 150 centres have been admitted to the system, and vouchers have been issued for over 95 per cent. of eligible children. My right hon. Friend's final assessment will be informed by the implementation evaluation conducted by Stirling university, and also by the findings of HM inspectors of schools in the course of their inspections during the pilot phase.

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