To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what actions have been taken by the Government since 1979 to assist with the expansion of pre-five facilities;(2) what financial assistance he has been able to offer regional councils to expand their pre-five facilities.

It is for local authorities to decide the extent and nature of the provision they make for children under five. In doing so they are assisted by financial provision made available as part of the revenue support grant settlement. This has enabled nursery education and day care places to be increased by 35 per cent. since 1979.