§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what means the Government regulate and assess the progress of the Education Acts 1980 and 1981 in respect of educational appeals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DunnThe local appeal provisions of the 1980 and 1981 Acts are fully implemented and are available for parents to use as they wish. The arrangements do not require detailed Governmental oversight, but my right hon. Friend has limited powers to intervene if complaints about the local machinery are found to be justified. In addition, my right hon. Friend is directly involved in certain appeals which may be made to him under the 1981 Act.
Column 1 Science Budget Column 2 Science Budget as a fraction of gross domestic product Column 3 Science Budget in real terms using retail price Index* Column 4 Science Budget in real terms using DTI R & D Index† Year £m £m £m 1971–72 126.0 0.00212 554.1 607.4 1972–73 139.4 0.00208 572.9 609.8 1973–74‡ 143.9 0.00193 541.4 566.7 1974–75 157.2 0.00176 509.7 520.6 1975–76 191.5 0.00171 499.8 498.5 1976–77 227.8 0.00175 510.1 513.8 1977–78 250.4 0.00166 484.0 501.4 1978–79 281.7 0.00163 502.8 506.4 1979–80 326.3 0.00158 513.6 509.5 1980–81 394.5 0.00166 526.3 516.8 1981–82║ 450.7 0.00174 537.5 522.1 1982–83 481.6 0.00170 528.8 509.2