§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much money he has allocated in each of the last five years to local education authorities in respect of the school building replacement programme; and if he will make a statement on the criteria he applies in reaching decisions about the allocation of funds to the replacement programme.
§ Mr. ButcherLocal education authorities are responsible for the maintenance of school buildings. Under the82W Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, each year authorities receive block allocations of prescribed expenditure for the main service blocks, including education, but it is for them to decide how to spend their allocations. My right hon. Friend sets the local education authorities' allocations of prescribed expenditure for education. In formulating these capital allocations, priority is given to committed expenditure up to the levels previously indicated to authorities, new projects to meet population growth and new projects to remove surplus places in the schools sector. Any remaining funds are allocated for improvement and replacement projects. In accordance with the criteria the allocations for schools in the last five years are set out in the table.
£ million County and voluntary controlled schools Voluntary aided and special agreement schools 1985–86 230.0 35.3 1986–87 232.9 27.8 1987–88 254.0 39.1 1988–89 319.0 47.1 1989–90 311.4 56.1 Notes:
1. The table provides details of the notional schools capital allocation.
2. The allocations shown are those announced before the start of the financial year in question and do not include subsequent revisions.