HC Deb 24 July 1996 vol 282 cc404-5W
Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people were statutorily recognised as homeless in each Welsh local authority in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [39191]

Mr. Hague

The information requested is in the following table:

Mr. Hague

Information about primary school class sizes is collected centrally only in respect of the number of classes, not the number of pupils in the classes. Twenty-two per cent. of ordinary classes in primary schools had more than 30 pupils at January 1995. The information requested in respect of secondary school class sizes is not collected centrally.

Mr. Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what research he has evaluated on the effect of class size on(a) primary and (b) secondary school children's education; and if he will make a statement; [39076]

(2) if he will make a statement on the average size of classes in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Wales. [39117]

Mr. Hague

Average class sizes in 1994–95—the latest year for which figures are available—were 20.2 in secondary schools and 25.9 in primary schools.

It is for individual schools to determine class sizes according to their own circumstances and priorities.

I have made no evaluations of research in this area. Good education depends on good planning and effective teaching.