22. Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received over the effects of the standard spending assessments on the standard of education; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Robin SquireMy right hon. Friend has received a number of representations in the course of the current review of SSA methodology and he is considering these with care. The standard of education in any local education authority will depend, however, on a variety of factors, including the authority's own spending priorities.
Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received concerning the current review of education standard spending assessments; what plans he has to change the criteria used when establishing education standard spending assessments; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthMy right hon. Friend has received various representations from local education authorities and others about the current review of education standard spending assessments. That review has been based on extensive statistical analyses. We shall weigh the evidence carefully before reaching final decisions and propose changes where the evidence strongly supports such changes.