asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he has taken to consider the recommendations made by the Select Committee on Education about provision for the under-fives in its report entitled "Achievement in Primary Schools"; what discussions he has arranged on such matters; whether he intends to publish a consultative document; when he expects to make decisions regarding provision for the under-fives; and if he will make a statement.

The Government intend to respond to the Select Committee's report within the normal time scale for such responses.