HC Deb 29 January 1997 vol 289 cc352-3
9. Sir David Knox

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much was spent per primary school pupil in Staffordshire in the most recent year for which figures are available; and what the figure was in 1978–79, at constant prices. [11734]

Mr. Robin Squire

In 1994–95, the latest year for which data are available, Staffordshire spent £1,645 per pre-primary and primary pupil, in 1996–97 prices. In 1978–79, the equivalent figure was £1,240.

Sir David Knox

Will my hon. Friend confirm that, although expenditure per primary school pupil in Staffordshire is lower than the national average, there has nevertheless been a very significant increase in expenditure under this Government, whereas there was a real-terms reduction in expenditure under the last Labour Government?

Mr. Squire

My hon. Friend, who has been a Member of Parliament for many years, well remembers events under that Labour Government, and he is absolutely right. One can reach only one conclusion if one compares the Government's dedication to funding education and commitment to higher standards with our predecessor's: do not trust another Labour Government.

Mr. Jamieson

Does the Minister realise that primary schools in Staffordshire could be assisted greatly if the £2 million of taxpayers' money that is being paid under the assisted places scheme to the St. Joseph's school and the Newcastle-under-Lyme school were redistributed to provide 100 more primary school teachers?

Mr. Squire

The hon. Gentleman repeats Labour's pledge—some would call it vandalism—to abolish assisted places. However, he has not repeated the fact that, in the first year, abolition of the scheme would save under £5 million. As he knows—because it has been reiterated by Labour spokesmen—that £5 million is somehow supposed to produce class sizes of no more than 30, whereas the minimum cost of doing so would be between £150 million and £180 million. It does not add up, and it is a deceit on parents across the country.

Mr. Stephen

Is it not the case that the Government provide more money per pupil than ever before in the nation's history, and that the reason why results are not as good as they should be is half-baked 1960s teaching methods, which still find favour with so many left-wing authorities, and waste of taxpayers' money by those very authorities?

Mr. Squire

My hon. Friend is completely right about the highest-ever sums being spent on education. On standards, whether we are considering examination results or unauthorised absences from school, time and again Labour-controlled authorities are at the bottom of every table. Far from providing an answer on how to raise standards in our schools, Labour demonstrates by its actions that it has no idea what standards in school really mean.