HC Deb 23 June 1981 vol 7 cc86-7W
Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what allowance he has made in his calculations relating to school place reductions and school closures for (a) the increased cost of transport to pupils, parents and local authorities and (b) greater disruptions to the educational system than would otherwise occur.

Dr. Boyson

The Government's expenditure plans provide for the cost per pupil of home-to-school transport financed by local education authorities to grow in real terms by 1 per cent. a year compound as the number of schools declines. In recognition of the additional administrative work which will be involved in taking surplus school places out of use, the provision in the Government's plans for expenditure on administration by local education authorities has been increased by £3.7 per cent. in 1981–82 and 1.9 million in 1982–83 at November 1980 prices.

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate of the number of schools that are likely to be completely closed as a result of achieving his target of a 700,000 reduction in school places.

Dr. Boyson

The Department's circular 2/81 sets out the educational and financial advantages of taking out of use more rapidly than hitherto permanent and temporary school place:. which become surplus as a result of falling pupil numbers. To reduce the educational and financial disadvantages of surplus permanent places, it would be desirable for some 1,000 primary schools and some 125 secondary schools to be closed by 1982–83.

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the basis for his calculation that there will be £10 million of cash savings for every 100,000 school places taken out of use.

Dr. Boyson

The calculation of £100 saving at November 1980 prices for each average surplus place taken out of use is based on information from local education authorities about

  1. a. the actual costs per square metre of maintaining different types of school accommodation. Maintenance costs include rent and rates, cleaning and caretaking, heating and lighting, repairs and maintenance and some administrative expenses;
  2. b. the balance between marginal and fixed elements in the cost of maintaining different types of school accommodation.