§ Mr. Randallasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of classes in the county borough of Gateshead of 40 or more; what percentage this is of the total; and how this figure compares with other areas of comparable size and with the national average.
§ Miss BaconThere are 40 classes of over 40 in Gateshead, all in primary schools. This is 13.8 per cent. of primary classes. In January, 1969, the latest date for which national figures are available, Gateshead had 59 primary classes over 40, or 20.6 per cent. as compared with a national average of 9.5 per cent., and an average for all English county boroughs of l3.5 per cent.