HC Deb 15 November 1989 vol 160 cc291-2W
Mr. Gwilym Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will set out in theOfficial Report figures in respect of education in Wales, showing for the years 1978–79 and 1987–88 (a) pupil numbers, (b) spending per primary pupil, (c) spending per secondary pupil and (d) spending on education, and the percentage change, between the two years, the figures having taken inflation into account; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

The information requested is shown in the table:

1978–79 1987–88 Percentage change between 1978–79 and 1987–88
1. Total numbers of pupils
(Full time equivalents) at January of each year 543,059 455,408 -16
2. Spending per pupil (£s)1
Nursery and primary2 789.9 1,004.0 +27.1
Secondary 1,086.0 1,488.4 +37.1
3. Expenditure on education (£000s)1
Current expenditure 762.696 838,556 +9.9
Gross capital expenditure 47,812 50,305 +5.2
1 All prices revalued to 1987–88 levels.
2 Expenditure records do not differentiate between nursery and primary pupils.

Between 1978–79 and 1987–88, expenditure on education in Wales has increased by nearly 10 per cent. in real terms. Taken together with the 86,651 reduction in pupil numbers experienced during the same period, expenditure on each nursery and primary pupil has increased by more than £200 and for each secondary pupil by over £400.