§ Mr. George Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will alter the school system so that children born in summer do not lose two full terms of schooling compared with children born in autumn.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonNo. Local education authorities already have discretionary powers to determine the pattern of admission to primary schools, subject
Year Number of projects proposed Cost of proposed projects Original allocations Value of projects not proposed with Additional allocation Final allocation £000s £000s £000s £000s £000s 1974–75 … … 230* 2,774* 2,233 390 985 2,828 1975–76 … … 230* 2,774* 2,263 327 — 1,936 1976–77 … … 145 3,777 1,541 754 236 1,023 * These figures are half the total number and value of projects proposed for the two year programmes 1974–76. Returns made to my Department indicate that between 1st April 1974 and 31st December 1976 projects worth £3.8 million were completed. The information requested is not available for individual
692Wto Government advice on the use of resources. The statutory age for compulsory attendance gives each child a minimum of two years and one term in infant education while not requiring very young children, who may not be ready for full time education, to attend classes unsuited to their age and maturity.