§ 44. Mr. Clayasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied with the level of expenditure per pupil on text and library books in secondary schools.
§ 45. Mr Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the level of expenditure per pupil on text and library books in secondary schools.
§ Mr. Chris PattenIn their report on "The effects of local authority expenditure policies on education provision in England—1984" Her Majesty's inspectors stated that the level of book provision was satisfactory or better for 11 to 16-year-olds in two thirds of LEAs and for the 16 to 19 age groups in schools in over three quarters of LEAs. However, in recent years expenditure per secondary 43W school pupil on books has fallen as schools have spent more of a rising capitation allowance on equipment. Some local education authorities and schools could with advantage give higher priority to spending on books. The Government have made proposals to pay education support grant to assist the purchase of books and equipment needed for courses leading to the new GCSE examination.