To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the methodology adopted by Surrey county council for forecasting future demand for primary school places carried out for their current age of transfer reorganisation proposals; what are his Department's guidelines on the methodology to be used; and if he will make a statement.

The reorganisation proposals published by Surrey county council will be decided by my right hon. and learned Friend. As they are currently being considered, we cannot comment at this stage on any of the issues involved, including Surrey's forecasting methodology, as this could be held to have pre-judged our eventual decision.The Department's guidelines on how authorities should approach the publication of statutory proposals are contained within circular 3/87 "Providing for Quality: The Pattern of Organisation to Age 19", a copy of which is available in the Library. Annex 2 provides guidelines on forecasting pupil numbers.