HC Deb 27 January 1982 vol 16 cc369-70W
Mr. Foster

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the best available evidence of the relationship between family income and the staying on rate in full-time education after the minimum leaving age.

Mr. William Shelton

We know of no specific research on this matter. However, I shall write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Foster

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average cost per person, per year, excluding the cost of child benefit and other allowances, of providing education for 16-year-olds who remain in full-time education.

1979, December 1980 and December 1981; and what are the corresponding figures for males and females, respectively.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

The information is set out in the table below:

Dr. Boyson

The average net cost of providing education for 16-year-olds remaining in full-time education in school or college in 1980–81 is estimated to have been in the range of £1, 400–£2, 000.

Mr. Foster

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the average cost per person, per year, of providing travel subsidies, school meals, maintenance and uniform allowances for young people who remain at school after 16 years of age.

Dr. Boyson

Information is not available in precisely the form requested. The average net cost of providing clothing and footwear allowances, maintenance allowances and transport for secondary school pupils aged over school leaving age in 1980–81 is estimated to have been as follows:

£ (cash)
Clothing and footwear allowances 0.95
Maintenance allowances 14.21
Transport
between home and school 22.28
elsewhere 2.65

Information about school meal costs is not separately available for older pupils. The average net cost for all school pupils—including those at nursery, primary and special as well as secondary schools—in 1980–81 was £47.88 per pupil.