Written question asked by Ashok Kumar (Labour) on Monday, 26 October 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 28 October 2009. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Thursday, 29 October 2009 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Pupils: Absenteeism

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children have had one or more periods of absence from school for more than a week due to serious illness in (a) England, (b) the North East, (c) the Tees Valley and (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency since 1999.

Answer: Information is not available in the form requested.The latest available information on absence where the reason code is illness (not medical or dental) is available in the SFR 'Pupil Absence in Schools in England: Autumn Term 2008 and Spring Term 2009' at:"http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000882/index.shtml"The latest available figures for a full year are available in the SFR 'Pupil Absence in Schools in England, including Pupil Characteristics: 2007/08' at:"http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000832/index.shtml"

Secondary information