HC Deb 30 July 1998 vol 317 c495W
Dr. George Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the additional costs incurred by Norfolk County Council in supporting an above average number of small primary schools(a) in total and (b) per pupil in the primary sector. [53718]

Ms Estelle Morris

No. It is not possible to carry out such a calculation on a satisfactory basis since it would involve making unsupported assumptions about the classification of schools as "small" and the funding distribution which might be adopted by the LEA in different circumstances. There is also no reliable way of estimating the offsetting additional costs which might be incurred on transport if the pattern of schools was different.