asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will now devote to the improvement of primary school education the money earmarked for the extension of nursery schooling.

No, Sir. Considerable progress has now been made with the improvement and replacement of old primary schools. Within the resources available in the immediate future my right hon. Friend has considered it right to attach priority to the first stage of the nursery expansion programme which will benefit children who would not otherwise be able to attend school at all.