§ 20. Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the effect of the budget settlement on(a) class sizes and (b) education attainment in (i) Southwark and (ii) London local education authorities. [7070]
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe effects of the settlement upon class sizes and the attainment of pupils will depend upon decisions taken by Southwark and other London LEAs. If they give priority to the chalk face and to improving teacher quality, there is no reason why class sizes should rise.