§ Stephen HesfordTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children's centres are planned to open in 2004; and if he will make a statement. [148427]
§ Margaret HodgeThere arc now 61 children's centres in England, all of which are based in disadvantaged areas. Local authorities' strategic proposals are currently being assessed and more children's centres that meet the children's centre core offer have been identified. These will be announced in the next few weeks.
We are currently unable to state how many children's centres will open in 2004 but the exact position will be clearer once local authorities have submitted their implementation plans by the end of May 2004.