§ Mr. Macfarlaneasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many children have had their schooling disrupted by the presence of high alumina cement in school buildings in primary schools and secondary schools, respectively;
(2) whether he will list the schools in England and Wales which have been evacuated due to the presence of high alumina cement in the building construction.
§ Mr. ArmstrongI am not aware that the presence of high alumina cement has caused any children to be kept away from school altogether. It is estimated that the number of children receiving less than full-time education has fallen from some 30,000 last September to less than 2,000 in March and is continuing to fall. Over 100 schools are still affected, but as their number changes week by week I do not propose to name them.