§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the annual cost of reducing primary school class sizes to a maximum of 30 pupils for all children in primary schools; and if he will make a statement. [70354]
§ Mrs. LiddellBased on the number of pupils in each school, as recorded in the September 1997 School Census, the estimated annual recurrent cost would be £26.1 million. This is the total cost of employing an additional teacher for each new class likely to be created. The figure assumes that the current general arrangements in place with respect to composite classes continue, but does not include an assessment of the additional capital costs of new classrooms. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.