HC Deb 22 October 2003 vol 411 cc599-600W
Bob Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received on proposals by Essex Local Education Authority to charge travel costs for pupils attending faith schools; and if he will make a statement. [132809]

1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/2000 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03
Biological Sciences 37,576 36,641 38,890 38,785 39,376 40,455 40,526 42,608
Chemistry 36,279 35,154 36,544 37,640 37,699 38,797 39,067 40,854
Physics 35,727 34,541 36,205 37,205 37,532 38,455 38,640 40,051
Single Award Science 62,844 54,631 52,383 50,182 48,565 49,886 51,662 52,998
Double Award Science 434,946 439,480 431,348 441,897 445.100 464,389 466,469 473,966
Other Science 5,344 4,881 3,826 3,423 3,106 2,977 2,785 2,742
Total Science 612,716 605,328 599,196 609,132 611,378 634,959 639,149 653,219

Part (b)

The number of entries in advanced level science subjects by 16 and 17-year-old students in all schools and FE colleges in England since 1995/96 are:

1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/2000 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03
GCE A level
Biology 37,905 42,144 43,405 41,723 41,204 40,250 41,448 39,810
Chemistry 30,589 32,295 32,922 31,670 31,407 30,422 29,298 27,839
Physics 25,541 26,192 27,004 26,849 25,548 25,557 25,601 23,868
Other Science 4,456 5,612 5,902 5,694 5,795 5,740 6,950 8,012
Total Science 98,491 106,243 109,233 105,936 103,954 101,969 103,297 99,529
GCE Advanced Supplementary level
Biology 2,314 2,518 2,524 2,688 2,774 1,483
Chemistry 1,008 1,205 1,241 1,155 1,180 781
Physics 1,534 1,808 1,758 1,727 1,614 750
Other Science 1,839 1,995 1,995 1,859 1,961 501
Total Science 6,695 7,526 7,518 7,429 7,529 3,515
GCE Advanced Subsidiary level
Biology 49,868 51,698 53,840
Chemistry 34,048 35,145 36,745
Physics 29,545 30,393 29,401
Other Science 6,353 13,739 14,206
Total Science 119,814 130,975 134,192
VCE A level
Science 195 385 352

Mr. Miliband

I have received representations from people objecting to Essex LEA's proposals to charge for home-to-school transport where children attend a denominational school in preference to the local school designated by their LEA. The policy issue is one for the LEA, but several correspondents have raised concerns about the way in which the consultation was carried out. My officials have requested information from the LEA to find out whether the consultation has been conducted in accordance with our regulations.