HC Deb 24 July 2002 vol 389 cc1346-7W
Mr. Woodward

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children received education(a) in pupil referral units and (b) at home in (i) St Helens, (ii) Merseyside, (iii) the Northwest and (iv) England in each year since 1996. [71739]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

[holding answer 23 July 2002]: The information requested is set out in the tables below.

Mr. Miliband

[holding answer 23 July 2002]: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

Mr. Woodward

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the adult literacy rate was in(a) St Helens, (b) Merseyside, (c) the North West and (d) England in each year since 1996. [71288]

Mr. Ivan Lewis

[holding answer 23 July 2002]: The table below shows the estimated level of poor literacy skills in the areas concerned. The data are from a series of surveys undertaken for the Basic Skills Agency in 1996–97. There are no data available for the subsequent years, although we are now conducting a large survey of literacy, language and numeracy needs in England as part of the Skills for Life strategy to improve adult basic skills. This will provide a more current assessment of literacy need.

Area Percentage of population aged Area 16–60 with poor literacy skills
St Helens 26
Merseyside 27
North West average 25
England average 24