HC Deb 11 June 1979 vol 968 c25W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a table showing general State school attendance hours in each member country of the European Community, and in Sweden, together with the total daily attendance hours.

Mr. Macfarlane

There is no standard length of school day in Great Britain, although in England and Wales regulations provide for a minimum of three one-hour sessions per day for pupils under 8 years of age and of four one-hour sessions for older pupils. Neither my Department nor the EEC collects information about the other member States or Sweden, and it could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.