HC Deb 11 February 1999 vol 325 cc400-1W
Mr. Willis

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the annual cost of providing nursery provision in Wales for all three year olds whose parents want it, over and above the cost of the Government meeting its own target in this respect. [70246]

Mr. Hain

Over half of three year olds in Wales receive free, at least part-time, education in the maintained sector. This provision is at the discretion of individual local authorities and is funded from their available resources, essentially the annual local government revenue settlement.

The question of provision for all three year olds will be a matter for the National Assembly.