HC Deb 21 July 1999 vol 335 cc538-9W
Dr. Gibson

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations he has had with industry on the financing of scientific laboratories in schools in the past two years. [91285]

Mr. Charles Clarke

We have had no consultations with industry during the past two years on the financing of science laboratories in schools although we do, of course, promote the Private Finance Initiative as a means for attracting private finance into the schools capital programme generally.

Dr. Gibson

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to review the school scientific laboratory teaching curricula in the sciences. [91282]

Mr. Charles Clarke

The proposals for a revised National Curriculum for schools issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 13 May include new measures to improve the quality of experiments pupils carry out when studying biology, chemistry and physics. A copy of the consultation materials was placed in the Library.

Dr. Gibson

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what recommendations he has made for the design, layout and organisation of school scientific laboratories; [91284]

(2) what studies he has undertaken in the last two years on the standards set for the design and equipment of school scientific laboratories for the teaching of (a) physics, (b) chemistry, (c) biology, (d) environmental sciences and (e) other sciences in (i) primary schools and (ii) secondary schools. [91286]

Mr. Charles Clarke

The Department has published guidance on the design and layout of school science rooms. Building Bulletin 82, "Area Guidelines for Schools", offers advice for both primary and secondary schools, while Building Bulletin 80, "Science Accommodation in Secondary Schools: A Design Guide", provides more detailed advice for the secondary sector, which requires dedicated, science accommodation. The design needs of secondary schools has been examined during the past two years as part of our rolling programme for producing, and updating, design guidance and, as a consequence, a replacement for Building Bulletin 80 will be published during the coming month.