HC Deb 09 September 2004 vol 424 c1368W
13. Mr. Wiggin

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on security in schools. [187707]

Margaret Hodge

Schools should be both secure and open for community use. Balancing these needs can be difficult, so we issued guidance with the Home Office to advise schools and local authorities on how to deal with intruders and prevent intrusion in the first place. The Government also provided funds—£10 million in 2002–03—and evaluation of that programme shows schools are improving their security and getting the balance right.