§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied with the current annual per capita expenditure on books and equipment in secondary schools.
159W
§ Dr. BoysonIt is in recognition of the fact that in recent years expenditure on books and equipment has fallen to a point that is causing difficulties in many schools that the Government's expenditure plans allow for a progressive improvement of provision in this area.
§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the amount spent on books and equipment in secondary schools in each local education authority area in the most recent year for which figures are available.
§ Dr. BoysonPrecise information is not readily available. But estimates of the amount which each local authority planned to spend in 1981–82 on books and equipment in secondary schools are provided in the publication "Education Statistics 1981–82 Estimates", by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy; there is a copy of this publication in the Library. Similar information is available for previous years.
§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of years usage which local education authorities expect from school textbooks; and how this varies between authorities.
§ Dr. BoysonTextbooks are normally selected and purchased by schools themselves, within their capitation160W allowances. The life of particular books will depend on the nature of their subject matter, which may become outdated, as well as on their durability and the care with which they are handled. I regret that my Department does not collect detailed information on this matter.