HC Deb 06 July 2000 vol 353 cc267-8W
17. Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what further steps his Department proposes to take to extend the provision of nursery education. [127936]

Ms Hodge

Since September 1998, all four-year-olds have had access to a free nursery education place. By April 2002, we shall have created 190,000 new free places for three-year-olds. 66 per cent. will then have access to such a place.

In line with our Manifesto pledge, we shall announce in this Parliament the date by which we shall achieve universal provision for three-year-olds.

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