§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any evidence of links between spending on education, excluding teachers' salaries, and achievements by children at nine, 13, 16 and 18 years plus; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldMy right hon. Friend is not aware of any such evidence. Socio-economic background is known to be linked with examination achievement at 16 and 18 years plus; research has indicated that there is no marked correlation between education spending and pupils' achievements once allowance has been made for these links.