To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many fixed penalty notices have been issued in each local authority in relation to condoned absenteeism of pupils in each year since 2003; and if he will make a statement. (201040)

The Department began collecting data in September 2004 on the number of penalty notices issued by local authorities to parents in respect of the offence of failing to ensure their children’s regular school attendance. Between 1 September 2004 to 31 December 2007, the data on the number of penalty notices issued by each local authority in England are available at:

http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/behaviourandattendance/about/data.cfm