§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations she has received about the need to set limits to the numbers of children at individual schools; and what reply she has given.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonAs the school population falls because of the falling birth rate, local education authorities need to be able to plan the operating capacities of their individual schools to make the most effective use of their resources in the interest of all their pupils. My right hon. Friend has published proposals to legislate on this matter and on school admissions more generally, and has received representations from a wide range of bodies on her proposals. There has been a general welcome for the concept of the planned operating capacity, and my right hon. Friend was glad to note that the leader of the Inner London Education Authority recently expressed his support for her proposals.