§ Mr. GillTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has received the Audit Commission's report on rationalising primary school provision; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarMy right hon. and learned Friend and I welcome the publication of the Audit Commission's report on rationalising primary school provision. The Government will continue to urge LEAs to remove surplus school places. Despite significant progress in some areas, there are still too many, as this study shows.
The Audit Commission's report indicates that about 900,000, or roughly one fifth, of all primary school places in England and Wales are surplus to requirements. The commission points out that surplus capacity involves expenditure which could be more productively used to improve the quality of education. Its report calls on LEAs 500W to tackle this issue by reviewing their position and by initiating local discussion of proposals for change. The commission notes that education in small primary schools is significantly more expensive per pupil; and its report indicates that unit costs tend to rise steeply when numbers fall below 80 or 90 pupils. It recommends that these costs are taken into account alongside other factors when LEAs review the pattern of provision.
It is not possible to eliminate all surplus places and the Government recognise that there are circumstances in which it is neither practical nor desirable to close small schools. But the Audit Commission clearly demonstrates the benefits which can accrue from a more efficient pattern of primary education and the Government share its view that parents and others should be given more opportunity to assess the case for change. We look to LEAs to make the necessary statutory proposals.