§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education how many surplus places there are in Bolton's local authority(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools; and what is the cost of such empty places. [14238]
§ Mr. Robin SquireIn January 1994, there were 2,187 surplus primary places and 2,000 surplus secondary places in Bolton LEA maintained schools, representing 9 per cent. and 10 per cent. of capacity respectively. We estimate that the cost of maintaining these places is in the region of £1 million. Not all these places are in practice removable. Increasing pupil numbers will fill many of them.