§ Sir David MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the average cost of a school place in a local education authority school in Hampshire; and how many surplus school places there are in local education authority schools in Hampshire.
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe national average premises-related cost of maintaining a school place is estimated to be £182 a year for a primary school and £303 a year for a secondary school at 1995–96 prices. It is not possible to give separate estimates at LEA level. The actual cost and the scope for realising savings from removal of surplus school places in practice will depend on local circumstances.
In January 1994, there were 18,287–13 per cent.—primary surplus school places and 8,834–13 per cent.—secondary places in local education authority schools in Hampshire. The authority has recently completed a reorganisation which, together with pupil population growth, will have reduced the amount of surplus from these levels.