§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make it his policy, when considering interim early years development plans submitted to him, not to approve plans which do not include provision for the reduction in numbers of four-year-olds currently in reception classes; and if he will make a statement. [8494]
§ Mr. ByersThe Secretary of State approved 79 interim early years development plans on 11 July, all of which include proposals for raising standards. This is an encouraging response to the Government's early years policy. We are grateful to local authorities for all their hard work on the plans, particularly given the tight timetable.