§ Mr. SimmondsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children's centres have been set up; and if he will make a statement. [167875]
§ Margaret HodgeThere are 67 children's centres in England all of which are based in disadvantaged areas. We have now begun to receive children's centres implementation plans from local authorities and are considering these on an individual basis. We will be in a position to announce more centres by the middle of June 2004. Further announcements will be made at regular intervals as we work towards our goal of 1,700 children's centres by March 2008 and our aspiration for one in every community in the longer term.