HC Deb 09 February 1981 vol 998 cc291-2W
Mr. Penhaligon

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the percentage change, positive or negative, of the primary school population for each of the last 10 years in Cornwall; and if he will indicate in the same limit the average change in England.

Dr. Boyson

The percentage changes in the full.time equivalent numbers of pupils in maintained nursery and primary schools in Cornwall and in England in each January from 1971 to 1980 were as follows:

Percentage change from January of previous year
January Cornwall per cent. England per cent.
1971 +3.3 +2.3
1972 +4.5 +2.0
1973 +4.8 +0.8
1974 +3.2 +0.1
1975 +0.7 –0.8
1976 +1.8 –0.8

Gross Institutional recurrent cost per pupil in maintained schools
November £at 1980 prices
Inner London Education Authority Cornwall
Primary Secondary Primary Secondary
Financial Year Cost per pupil £ PTR Cost per pupil £ PTR Cost per pupil £ PTR Cost per pupil £ PTR
1970–71 513 23.9 925 15.9 378 28.2 679 18.4
1971–72 554 22.8 984 15.6 376 26.5 683 18.4
1972–73 584 22.1 1,005 15.4 394 26.9 706 17.2
1973–74 607 21.7 985 15.9 403 26.7 677 17.8
1974–75 668 20.4 1,042 15.8 424 26.0 695 17.4
1975–76 714 19.9 1,054 15.6 426 25.4 691 17.3
1976–77 746 19.6 1,077 15.4 447 25.1 690 17.3
1977–78 792 19.2 1,123 15.1 462 24.6 713 17.1
1978–79 856 18.7 1,178 14.9 483 24.2 736 16.8
1979–80 949 17.9 1,256 14.5 493 24.0 739 16.6
These figures cover the costs of tuition but exclude pupil support, central administration costs and loan charges.

Percentage change from January of previous year
January Cornwall per cent. England per cent.
1977 +1.2 –1.8
1978 +0.2 –2.8
1979 –0.9 –2.7
1980 –2.3 –3.6

Mr. Penhaligon

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list for 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975 and 1980 the number of primary schools in Cornwall and the percentage of them that exceed 80 years of age.

Dr. Boyson

In January of each of the years specified the number of maintained nursery and primary schools in Cornwall was as follows:

January
1955 322
1960 299
1965 274
1970 269
1975 266
1980 272

Information about the ages of primary schools in Cornwall is not readily available in my Department and I suggest that the hon. Member contacts the local education authority.