To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how the savings in 1996–97 resulting from the delay in the introduction of subsidised private sector loans will now be accounted for in the budget of the Department for Education and Employment. [7382]

The postponement of the introduction of private loans will mean that the resultant savings will not be made in 1996–97. The Government will be considering what, if any, steps need to be taken as a consequence in

In each phase, every eligible parent of a four-year-old child will receive vouchers for a maximum of three terms of nursery education, concluding with the term before the child attains compulsory school age. Parents will receive one voucher for each term.