§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what steps she will take to ascertain which local education authorities intend, as a matter of policy, to increase the pupil-teacher ratio in any part of their education system or reduce the proportion of pupils admitted to primary schools before their fifth birthday;
(2) what central guidance she intends to give local education authorities which wish, as a matter of policy, to increase the pupil-teacher ratio in any part of their education system or reduce the proportion of pupils admitted to primary schools before their fifth birthday.
§ Mr. van Straubenzee:Returns from local education authorities and other information available to the Department enable my right hon. Friend to give central guidance if necessary.