§ 15. Mr. KnoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much was spent per pupil in secondary schools (a) in England as a whole and (b) in Staffordshire, in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what were the comparable figures in 1978–79, at constant prices.
§ Mr. DunnLocal education authorities in England spent an average of £1,035 per secondary pupil in 1978–79 and £1,340 per secondary pupil in 1986–87 at 1986–87 prices. The comparable figures for Staffordshire are £1,040 and £1,255.
§ Mr. KnoxDoes my hon. Friend agree that those figures show a satisfactory improvement in funding in Staffordshire and in the country at large since the Government have been in power?
§ Mr. DunnYes. The Government's strong record is supported by other objective measures. In January 1987 the pupil-teacher ratio was 17.3:1, compared with 18.9:1 in January 1979. Average class sizes in primary and secondary schools have been improving, and there are many fewer classes today with more than 30 pupils.