HC Deb 22 May 1997 vol 294 cc122-3W
22. Miss Widdecombe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he plans to take to guarantee a nursery place for every four-year-old; and how long this will take. [214]

Ms Estelle Morris

The Government is committed to providing good quality nursery education for all four-year-olds by April 1999 at the latest. Local authorities will be required to establish Early Years Forums, which will draw up Early Years Development Plans outlining how places will be secured.

28. Mrs. Marion Roe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many extra nursery places have been created since the introduction of the nursery voucher scheme. [220]

Ms Morris

Assessment of Phase 1 of the nursery education voucher scheme shows too few places have been created. The Government's proposals for early years development plans to replace vouchers will be more effective.