asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average size of classes in primary, secondary and grammar schools in Northern Ireland; and how these compare with the figures for Great Britain.

The information requested in respect of Northern Ireland is as follows. It relates to the school year 1975–76:

Primary schools	…	…	28·3*
Secondary schools	…	…	22·1
Grammar schools	…	…	20·3
* Includes preparatory departments in grammar schools

The possibility of providing comparative figures for Great Britain has been examined, but I am advised that, because of the differing bases of data collection by education departments in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and other difficulties of definition, comparable figures for Great Britain cannot be provided in the form requested.