Appearing before members of the science and technology select committee, which is conducting an inquiry into evidence-based early years intervention, Zahawi said some local authorities are now using children's centres differently, focusing on the most disadvantaged areas, with "much better outcomes" as a result.
Last month a report by the Sutton Trust calculated that around 1,000 children's centres have closed since 2009, twice as many as officially acknowledged.
But Zahawi said councils are not closing buildings in the areas with the greatest need.
"The number of children's centres that are open in the most disadvantaged areas has stayed constant," Zahawi said.
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