Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 21 January 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 February 1999. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Monday, 1 February 1999 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, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Bury North of 14th January, 323 c261W, what is the participation rate of three year-olds in early education in Southampton.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor) of 14 January 1999, Official Report, column 261, what is the participation rate of 3-year-olds in early education in Southampton. [67857] Ms Hodge: The information is not available in the form requested. There were 406 3-year-olds in maintained nursery and primary schools in the Southampton Local Education Authority in January 1998. In addition, the Government have set a target to double the national participation rate of 3-year-olds in free early education places to 66 per cent. by 2002, using the maintained, voluntary and private sectors.

Secondary information