§ Mr. Ivan HendersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many new primary and secondary schools were opened in the Harwich constituency between 1979 and 1997; and what proposals have been made for building new schools within the Harwich constituency since 1997. [30982]
§ John HealeyReliable information is not available on the number of new primary and secondary maintained schools opened prior to 1996. Since 1996, proposals have been made to establish one new maintained school in the Harwich constituency. The new community secondary school is expected to open on 1 September 2002 in Clacton.
881WWe do not hold information on the building of new schools. It is for local education authorities to determine the need for additional school places in the maintained sector and, where necessary, to build or support the provision of new schools. The Department makes available capital funding for new school places; many of these are provided in existing schools.