HC Deb 26 March 1984 vol 57 cc12-3
13. Mr. Knox

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much was spent per pupil in primary schools in Wales in the most recent year for which figures are available.

15. Mr. Grist

asked the Secretary of State for Wales by how much expenditure, in constant prices, per school pupil is forecast to have risen in 1983–84 compared with 1978–79 at (a) primary school level, and (b) secondary school level in Wales.

Mr. John Stradling Thomas

The provisional figure for expenditure per primary pupil in 1982–83 is £714. It is estimated that expenditure per primary and secondary pupil between 1978–79 and 1983–84 will have increased by 10 and 6 per cent. respectively after appropriate allowance is made for pay and price changes as they affect local authority expenditure.

Mr. Knox

Does my hon. Friend think that those increases in expenditure have resulted in an improvement in education in Welsh schools?

Mr. Stradling Thomas

Yes. My hon. Friend is right, by implication. The figures make nonsense of the alarmist claims of Opposition Members that we have made heavy cuts in expenditure on schools.

Mr. Grist

Does my hon. Friend agree that it is disappointing that, despite all the money that has been spent on education since the war, so many people are wholly or functionally illiterate? Will he comment on what I said in the recent Welsh debate about low teacher expectation in this regard?

Mr. Stradling Thomas

Money, like the pupil-teacher ratio, is only one of the criteria involved. I take the point made by my hon. Friend. I know of his concern in these matters and I share it, because under-achievement is one of the problems with which we have to grapple.

Mr. Alex Carlile

Will the Minister of State come off the fence for a change and acknowledge the importance to the community of village schools in Wales? Will he stop hiding behind the county councils whenever he is asked about village schools?

Mr. Stradling Thomas

I never hide behind the county councils. I think that the hon. Gentleman meant to refer to local education authorities. They have to make many difficult decisions and I would ask them to keep thriving village schools whenever possible, but authorities have to take into account the need for economies and the best use of resources. The ultimate decisions will always be based on the educational advantage for the children concerned.