Written question asked by Lord Robathan (Conservative) on Thursday, 9 November 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 23 November 2000. It was answered by Baroness Morris of Yardley (Labour) on Thursday, 23 November 2000 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, What progress has been made in reducing infant class sizes for five, six and seven year olds in Leicestershire. (Failed OPQ). - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made in reducing infant class sizes for five, six and seven-year-olds in Leicestershire. [138380] Ms Estelle Morris: For the huge majority of infants our pledge to limit infant classes to 30 has been delivered early. In January 1998, 485,000 were in classes over 30. This September there were as few as 30,000. Leicestershire has made steady progress towards meeting the pledge. In September, over 94 per cent. of Leicestershire's five, six and seven-year-olds were in infant classes of 30 or below, compared with 89 per cent. in September 1999. The figure in January 1998 was 78 per cent.

Secondary information