§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many children are being educated at independent schools in Wales; what were the corresponding figures for 1970 and 1960, respectively; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Barry JonesThe number of full-time pupils at independent schools in Wales in January 1977, the most recent date for which information is available, was 10,639. The corresponding figures for the school years 1960–61 and 1970–71 were 15,438 and 10,457 respectively.
It is my right hon. and learned Friend's intention to use the powers given to him under Section 5 of the Education Act 1976 to ensure that the arrangements made by local education authorities to take up places in non-maintained schools are consistent with the Government's policy of ending selection for secondary education.