To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of surplus places there were in (a) primary, (b) middle (where appropriate) and (c) upper schools in the last period for which figures are available. (164464)

The latest published data are for January 2006 where there were:

(a) 513,738 surplus primary places (including middle deemed primary) representing almost 12 per cent. of total capacity

(b) 244,111 surplus secondary places (including middle deemed secondary) representing around 7 per cent. of total capacity.

We do not collate separate figures for middle schools. They are deemed to be either primary or secondary schools.

The January 2007 surplus places data will be published later this year.