asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many secondary school places each local education authority had in 1979 and at the latest available date; and if he is satisfied with progress in reducing the numbers.

This information is not available, but local education authorities' returns to the Department's circular 2/81 will show the current position and their plans for taking places out of use. We are reviewing progress in the light of those returns but shall only be able to complete our analysis when a sufficient number have been received.