To ask the Secretary of State for Education

(1) how many children born in (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 resident in (i) Essex local authority area and (ii) Colchester constituency have not been allocated a school place for September 2010; and if he will make a statement;

(2) how many children born in (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 have not been allocated a school place for September 2010; and if he will make a statement.

The Department does not collect information on the numbers of children in individual local authority areas who have not been allocated school places. We are keenly aware that in many areas of the country there are sharp increases in demand for primary places. On 5 July, the Secretary of State announced a review of all the Department's capital programmes. We are clear that future spending needs to be more efficient and with a sharper focus on real needs. The Secretary of State has also said that providing funding to support the provision of pupil places where they are needed will be a priority for the next spending review period. We will announce allocations to local authorities in due course.