§ 6. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much was spent per pupil at primary schools in England in real terms in 1978 and in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what are the comparable figures for primary schools in Staffordshire.
§ Mr. DunnLocal education authorities in England spent an average of £620 per primary pupil in 1978–79 and £681 in 1982–83, the latest year for which firm figures are available. The comparable figures for Staffordshire are £621 and £698 respectively. All these figures are at 1982–83 prices.
§ Mr. KnoxIn view of the impressive increase in expenditure per pupil in Staffordshire since the Government came into office, an increase that is much better than in the country at large, why does the Labour-controlled Staffordshire county council keep trying to close primary schools, particularly in areas outside Stoke-on-Trent, and why does it keep complaining that there are Government-forced cuts in its education budget?
§ Mr. DunnI understand what my hon. Friend is saying. The House will accept that there are financial and educational benefits in taking surplus school places out of use. I hope that those benefits are in the mind of the Staffordshire local educational authority when it comes to assess primary and secondary education.