Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 2 February 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 February 1999. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Monday, 8 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, what is the participation rate of three-year-olds in early education in Hampshire. - Inc fig and fact that information not available in form requested.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the participation rate of three-year-olds in early education in Hampshire. [69461] Ms Hodge: The information is not available in the form requested. There were 559 three-year-olds in maintained nursery and primary schools in the Hampshire Local Education Authority area in January 1998. In addition, the Government have set a target to double the national participation rate of three-year-olds in free early education places to 66 per cent. by 2002, using the maintained voluntary and private sectors.

Secondary information