§ 13. Mr. TouhigTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with local education authorities and the Churches concerning the proposed fast track for schools opting out.[1868]
§ Mr. RichardsA bilingual consultation paper on grant-maintained status for voluntary aided schools was published on 31 October. Responses are currently being considered.
§ Mr. TouhigI heartily congratulate the Minister, and do so genuinely, on an achievement of some significance. His proposal that a fast track should be established for Church schools wishing to go grant-maintained has united the Christian Churches in Wales in a way that has not happened since the Reformation. The Minister knows full well that the Churches are united in opposition to his proposals. Having said that, and bearing in mind that the word "choice" drips daily from the lips of Conservative Members, can the Minister assure the House that no school in Wales will go grant-maintained without a ballot in which parents can exercise their right to choose?
§ Mr. RichardsIt is interesting that, according to the hon. Gentleman, the Churches are united against grant-maintained status. Is the right hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Blair) opposed to a fast track for schools opting out? The right hon. Member for Sedgefield ensured a fast track out of Islington, for his own son to attend a grant-maintained school, yet the same right hon. Gentleman pursues policies that would replace Essex man with Islington luvvies.
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman should answer the question, rather than make attacks on another Member of Parliament. Mr. Duncan: Disgraceful. Since when were attacks forbidden?
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. Does the hon. Gentleman have anything to say? If so, he should say it now.
§ Mr. RichardsAs I said in my original reply, the matter is out for consultation and currently being considered.
§ Mr. Win GriffithsWill the Minister confirm that, given the Government's decision not to mention the fast 13 track process for voluntary aided schools in the Queen's Speech, he has no intention of allowing any school of any description in Wales to opt out before parents have a chance to ballot?
§ Mr. RichardsAs I have twice made clear, the matter went out for consultation and we are considering the responses. The hon. Gentleman will have to wait because we have not decided precisely what we intend to do. As to the announcement, if the hon. Gentleman had heard the magnificent speech by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister at our party conference, he would have heard my right hon. Friend commit the Government to further legislation on grant-maintained schools.