§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answers of 27 July 1999,Official Report, column 185, and 29 October 1999, Official Report, column 1009, concerning class sizes, when he now plans to write to the hon. Member for Hertsmere. [98237]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisI replied to the hon. Member, as promised, on 4 November. Copies of my letter have also been placed in the Library.
§ Mr. Tony ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures he is taking to reduce class sizes in Northampton South. [98321]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisOur pledge is to reduce all infant class sizes to 30 or below by September 2001 at the latest. The number of children in large infant classes in Northamptonshire Local Education Authority has already been reduced from 5,773 in January 1998 to 2,749 in September 1999, reflecting a national fall from 485,000 to 181,000 over the same period. Northamptonshire LEA's approved Infant Class Size Plan will reduce infant class760W sizes to 30 or less in virtually all schools by September 2000. We have already provided revenue funding amounting to £363,000 for 24 teachers and capital funding of £1.25 million for 15 new classrooms to enable Northamptonshire to carry out its plan. We will shortly agree further funding so that the Authority can implement in full next year.