Mr. Alan WilliamsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the different levels of resources available to(a) his Department and (b) the Department for Education and Employment in respect of the achievement of targets relating to (i) infant school class size and (ii) nursery places for four-year-olds. [9905]
§ Mr. ByersI have been asked to reply.
728WThe Department for Education and Employment will use the savings from the phasing out of the assisted places scheme, amounting to over £100 million by 2000, and £100 million or more each year thereafter, to secure reductions in infant class sizes; and some £672 million per annum, together with elements of revenue support grant, will be used to secure a nursery education place for all four-year-olds whose parents want one. The Department of Health is not expected to make resources available for these purposes.