asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new nursery schools projects he has not been able to sanction because of restrictions on public capital expenditure.

None, but my right hon. Friend has declined to sanction two projects which did not in his view deserve a high degree of priority on grounds of social deprivation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new nursery schools have been built in each of the past three years; and what is the estimate of their capital construction costs at 1977 prices.

For years to 31st October, the numbers are 5, 44 and 44 respectively; the total of the approved costs at 1977 prices is estimated to be of the order of £6·7 million.