HC Deb 01 August 1980 vol 989 cc856-7W
Mrs. René e Short

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of pupils boarding in the independent sector were being publicly subsidised in each year since 1970.

Dr. Boyson

This information is not available in the form requested.

In 1977–78, some 10 per cent of boarding pupils in independent schools were receiving financial assistance from local education authorities in England and Wales. Of these, about half were handicapped pupils Some pupils will also have been assisted through allowances paid to members of the Armed and Diplomatic Services, which are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and my noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

Mrs. René e Short

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of school boarding places has been accounted for by the State sector for each year since 1970.

Dr. Boyson

Information about the percentage of boarding places which is in maintained schools is not available.

The number of pupils (whether or not handicapped) attending maintained schools as boarders as a percentage of boarding pupils in all schools in England and Wales in January of each year between 1970 and 1978 were as follows:

Per cent.
1970 15
1971 15
1972 15
1973 16
1974 15
1975 15
1976 15
1977 15
1978 15

These figures include pupils attending schools with boarding provision and pupils for whom other boarding arrangements have been made by local authorities.