asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what has been the cost of repairing damage to school buildings as a result of arson or vandalism in Essex for the years 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, and 1974, respectively.

The Department does not collect such information on a regular national basis but I am informed by the Essex Education Authority that from 1970 to 1974 £24,900 was spent on repairing damage caused by known cases of arson in its schools. Figures for other acts of vandalism cannot be identified separately.