HC Deb 27 June 1980 vol 987 cc323-4W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of the annual expenditure on education in the North-West of England is spent upon the provision of school books.

Dr. Boyson

In the financial year 1978–79 expenditure on school books, educational equipment and materials amounted to 3½ per cent. and that on books alone to about 1 per cent. of the total net recurrent expenditure of local education authorities in the North-West of England.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average sum spent on the provision of school books for each child in the current academic year; and what is the estimated amount for the next academic year for (a) children in the Macclesfield parliamentary constituency and (b) Cheshire as a whole.

Dr. Boyson

Figures of estimated and actual expenditure by local education authorities are not available for academic years or for the areas or parliamentary constituencies. The latest available figures of actual expenditure are for the financial year 1978–79: expenditure by Cheshire local education authority on books, educational equipment and materials, expressed per primary and secondary pupil respectively, was £9.4 and £25.5 at outturn prices. The equivalent figures for England and Wales were £12.8 and £24.2.

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