§ 9. Mr. KnoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much was spent per pupil at primary schools in Staffordshire in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what was the comparable figure in 1978–79, at constant prices.
§ Mr. FallonStaffordshire spent £1,050 per nursery and primary pupil in 1988–89, the latest year for which information is available. On the same price basis, Staffordshire spent £815 per nursery and primary pupil in 1978–79. Therefore, Staffordshire's spending per nursery and primary pupil in 1988–89 was some 29 per cent. higher in real terms than in 1978–79.
§ Mr. KnoxDoes my hon. Friend agree that those figures refute absolutely Opposition charges of underfunding primary school education in Staffordshire since the Government came to office?
§ Mr. FallonYes, absolutely. The Staffordshire figures clearly demonstrate the Government's continuing commitment to funding the education service and the substantial increases that have taken place over a 10-year period.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursOn the question of primary school funding in Staffordshire, if it is the Government's policy to cut taxes, how much will have to be cut from the Department of Education and Science budget? Perhaps the Minister can relate those cuts to his proposed expenditure in Staffordshire in future.
§ Mr. FallonThe hon. Gentleman might not have noticed that, at the same time as increasing education spending, we have reduced the direct rate of taxation. That is in direct contrast to the Labour party policy which would tax teachers more heavily than they are taxed at present.