§ Mrs. Anne CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he has included places located within(a) temporary or mobile classrooms, (b) other temporary accommodation and (c) laboratories or workshops in the figures he has published for each local education authority concerning surplus places in schools.
§ Mr. ForthThe survey of school capacity, carried out during the 1990–91 academic year, measured surplus places in schools using the more open enrolment formula promulgated for primary and secondary schools in, respectively, circulars 6/91 and 11/88, both of which are available in the Library. The formula for primary schools contained in circular 6/91 took account of both permanent and temporary accommodation, including mobiles. Workshops or laboratories deemed by the admissions authority to be unsuitable for general teaching purposes were omitted. The formula for secondary schools contained in circular 11/88 took account of all available teaching space, whether permanent or temporary, including mobile classrooms. Laboratories and workshops were also included, but the formula allowed each workplace in such rooms to be a greater area than in a general teaching space in recognition of the additional space requirements of practical subjects.