§ 7. Mr. Laneasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate she has made of total public expenditure on primary education in 1969–70 and 1972–73, respectively, at constant prices.
§ Mrs. ThatcherFor Great Britain, at constant 1970 prices, £537.5 million and £596.5 million respectively.
§ Mr. LaneIs my right hon. Friend aware that the Government's emphasis on primary education which these figures illustrate has been almost universally welcomed, and is not Labour criticism of the Government's education and social policies sour grapes and humbug?
§ Mrs. ThatcherIt will continue to be my first priority because a great deal still remains to be done on a lot of primary school buildings.
§ Mr. Edward ShortWill the right hon. Lady now tell us the cost per pupil in secondary schools in 1969 and 1972 respectively at constant prices?
§ Mrs. ThatcherI cannot give the precise figure, but, having looked at the increased number of pupils and expenditure, I am sure that expenditure will rise a good deal more than the increase in the number of pupils. So the right hon. Gentleman can take no comfort from my answer to his supplementary question.