§ Mr. Rhodesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the most recent figures of primary school classes with over 35 pupils in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne local authority area; what steps she is taking to obtain figures which are more recent than January, 1970; when she expects to obtain figures for January, 1971; and why she cannot make available information which is already at the disposal of the local education authority and was passed by the Director of Education to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East, at the commencement of the present spring term.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeThe most recent figures which my right hon. Friend has are those which I gave the hon. Member on 9th February. Full national information based on returns for January, 1971, for all maintained schools should be available by June. Piecemeal analysis would be uneconomic. I am glad that the hon. Member has been in direct touch with the local education authority; this is usually the best way to obtain local information.—[Vol. 811, c. 141.]