§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what criteria will determine296W how money is allocated to reduce class sizes; and what sums he will allocate for this purpose to Gloucestershire during (a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000. [30268]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 23 February 1998]: On 12 February, the Government announced allocations of £21.32 million under the Standards Fund to 65 LEAs to reduce infant class sizes in 1998–99. Those allocations were made on the basis of applications put forward by LEAs and according to criteria published in September last year and sent to all authorities. Further significant funding will be available in future years. Although Gloucestershire has not been allocated specific funding to reduce class sizes in 1998–99, I would urge the authority to continue to develop its plans for reducing class sizes to ensure that it attracts funding in the future. By the end of this Parliament, all infants in Gloucestershire, as in the country generally, will be in classes of 30 or fewer.