Written question asked by Siobhain McDonagh (Labour) on Thursday, 14 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 January 2001. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Thursday, 11 January 2001 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, If he will make a statement on the progress he is making towards providing free nursery education for three and four year olds. - Including figures. (Failed OPQ).

Answer: Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the progress he is making towards providing free nursery education for three and four-year-olds. [143470] Ms Hodge: All four-year-olds have been able to access a free early education place since 1998. By 2004 we will provide a free place for every three-year-old. This is the first Government ever to have specifically funded free nursery education for three-year-olds. By 2004 we will have doubled our spending on nursery education from £1 billion to £2 billion.

Secondary information