HC Deb 01 December 1987 vol 123 c524W
23. Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further representations he has received about the proposed national curriculum.

48. Mr. Ashdown

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received concerning proposals for a national curriculum.

56. Mr. Page

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further representations he has received over the national curriculum.

Mrs. Rumboid

I refer hon. Members and my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Suffolk, South (Mr. Yeo).

49. Mr. Martlew

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has made any further analysis of the resource implications of the proposals contained in the consultative document "National Curriculum 5–16"; and if he will make a statement.

74. Ms. Quin

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has made any further analysis of the resource implications of his national curriculum proposals; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

My right hon. Friend announced on 3 November at column 645 that about £65 million over three years is to be provided to fund work in support of the Government's proposals for a national curriculum, including the work of the National Curriculum Council and the School Examinations and Assessment Council. The Government will also support the development of the national curriculum through education support grants and through training grants for teachers. The overall pupil-teacher ratio for 1987, at 17.3:1, is at its lowest ever level. The Government' s expenditure plans allow for a further improvement in the pupil-teacher ratio to 17:1 by 1990. lt will be for local education authorities and schools, within the planned level of resources, to ensurethat staffing, as well as spending on support services, books and equipment, are directed to achieve the national policy; our aim is to achieve better value for money from the resources already being provided. Any particular requirements which emerge as local education authorities and governmg bodies put the proposals into practice will fall to be considered in future public expenditure discussions.