To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what experiments were banned in science lessons in secondary schools in each year since 1997. (153829)

The science curriculum programmes of study do not list which experiments can and cannot be taught in the classroom. There is however legislation that restricts the kinds of experiments that can be undertaken. For example, under the Specified Risk Material (Amendment) Regulations 1997 bulls' eyes can only be taken from cattle of six months or younger; and under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 (amended 1992 and 2002), benzene and genuine crude oil are banned nationally. The Consortium of Local Education Authorities for the Provision of Science Services publishes tables of materials which schools can and cannot use in science, and suggests appropriate alternatives. Further information on this can be accessed on the CLEAPSS website at:

http://www.cleapss.org.uk.