§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Education how many Portakabin classrooms are currently in use; how many there were in 1979, 1985 and 1990; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthThe Department holds no records on how many Portakabin classrooms are currently in use or how many were in use at any time in the past.
On temporary accommodation generally, "A Study of School Building" published by the Department and the Welsh Office in 1977 showed that 10 per cent. of primary and 7 per cent. of secondary school places were provided in temporary accommodation, both fixed and mobile. The "Survey of School Buildings" published by the Department in 1987 showed a reduction in these proportions to 7 per cent. of primary school accommodation and 6 per cent. of secondary school accommodation in England only.
Information on the position in 1990 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.