Mr. WorthigntonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the availability of grammar school places for those from the (i) Protestant and (ii) Catholic traditions in each of the education and library boards; and in which areas there is relative under provision. [1794]
§ Mr. AncramWhile it should be noted that many grammar schools are attended by both Protestant and Roman Catholic pupils, the distribution of grammar school places between schools under Roman Catholic management—denominational schools—and others—non-denominational schools—in each board area in the 1995–96 school year, the most recent statistics available, is as follows:
Grammar school places Denominational Non-denominational Belfast 5,894 10,126 Western 7,382 3,896 North Eastern 3,830 9,824 South Eastern 2,872 7,264 Southern 7,352 3,605 Total 27,330 34,715 There is evidence of a relative shortfall of grammar school places in Londonderry, Belfast, Newry, Banbridge, Bangor and Carrickfergus. Steps are being taken to address any underprovision, subject to the availability of capital resources.
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§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of 11-year-olds in Northern Ireland attend grammar schools. [2491]
§ Mr. AncramIn 1995–96, the percentage of 11-year-olds attending grammar schools in Northern Ireland was 34 per cent.