§ Mr. NormanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate his Department has made of the increased demand for school places in the south-east that will come about as a result of the building of an additional 215,000 dwellings in the south-east by 2005. [117792]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisIt is for local education authorities to plan and keep under review the supply of school places in the light of proposed housing development, so as to ensure that there is sufficient provision to meet demand. The recent announcement of Regional Planning Guidance for the south-east will assist local education authorities in
538Wthe region to do this. Where an LEA can demonstrate overall growth in the need for school places it may apply to my Department for capital funding.