To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the primary and secondary school pupil-teacher ratio for 1979, 1983, 1987 and the most recent year for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

The pupil-teacher ratios in maintained primary and secondary schools in England in 1979, 1983 and 1987 and 1989 were as follows:

	Primary	Secondary
1979	23·1	16·7
1983	22·3	16·5
1987	21·9	15·6
1989	22·0	15·3

The pupil-teacher ratio in both primary and secondary schools has improved since 1979. It is for local education authorities and schools to make the best use of the available teacher resources.