To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his reply of 3 February to the hon. Member for Durham, North-West (Ms. Armstrong), Official Report, column 77, if he will inquire into the reasons for the Western Isles having no children between the ages of three and four years in nursery schools; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 3 March 1992]: It is for education authorities themselves to decide the level and mix of provision they make for pre-school children in their area. Although the Western Isles has no children aged three and four attending nursery schools, in 1991, over 50 per cent. of children under four received day care of some form; the second best outcome in Scotland.