§ Mr. Tom Boardmanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is her estimate of the number of new immigrants from Kenya for whom school places in the city of Leicester will be needed in 1972.
§ Mrs. ThatcherI cannot estimate how many immigrant families from Kenya with children of school age will settle in Leicester in 1972. I understand that in 1970 930 immigrant children of school age, of whom about two-thirds were from East African countries, arrived in Leicester direct from overseas. Figures for the first half of 1971 suggest that154W the rate of arrival of all immigrant pupils is declining slightly, but the education authority expect a rise in demand for school places for children from Kenya following the Government's decision to increase the number of special vouchers issued to United Kingdom passport holders subject to control. The authority expects the numbers of pupils in primary schools to rise from about 32,700 to about 33,700 during 1972. In 1972 over 1,000 new permanent primary school places will be taken into use and 350 places will be provided in temporary classrooms. This should provide an adequate margin of accommodation to meet increases in numbers of immigrant pupils but the education authority and my Department will keep the position under review.