HL Deb 02 June 1998 vol 590 cc180-1

2.45 p.m.

Baroness Young

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper. I apologise to the House for the fact that the Question should read "Library Boards".

The amended Question is as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government:

Why they are proposing to transfer the funding of voluntary grammar schools from the Northern Ireland Department of Education to the Education and Libraries Boards.

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton

My Lords, the main reason for this proposal is to reduce the number of funding formulae and thus contribute to the Government's stated policy objective of full commonality of schools funding across the Province. The vast majority of schools are already funded by the boards and there is no convincing reason for funding some schools separately.

Baroness Young

My Lords, while thanking the noble Baroness for her reply, as is only proper, I find the response very disappointing. Is the noble Baroness aware that these schools comprise about one quarter of the secondary schools in Northern Ireland and that they are regarded within the United Kingdom as some of the best schools? Moreover, it is generally considered that these schools are some of the few organisations which, for over 50 years, have been a shining example of cross-community co-operation. They are very concerned at what is happening as regards their status at the present time.

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton

My Lords, I join the noble Baroness is paying tribute to the work of the schools. There is little logic in having a different funding source for two different schools. A transfer of funding responsibility to the boards will reduce the number currently in operation in the Province. It will ensure also greater transparency and will simplify administration. It will also remove the perception—false but commonly held—in controlled and maintained schools that voluntary grammar schools and grant-maintained integrated schools are treated more favourably than they are because of their direct funding relationship with the department. Under the new arrangements, they will continue to be funded on a cash basis and proper account will be taken of differences in their needs, such as differences in VAT and rates.

Lord Molyneaux of Killead

My Lords, does the Minister agree that the proposed change will create a great deal of disparity in the funding of the voluntary grammar schools in Northern Ireland and will deprive those schools of direct access to the department over a whole range of issues that are of vital importance? Given the uncertain future of the boards and their number, surely it would be much better to adhere to the present system which has worked very efficiently and well.

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton

My Lords, the Government believe that the new arrangements which will pay funds directly to the schools will protect their existing record of success, maintain their integrity and further government policy.

Lord Hylton

My Lords, recognising the high quality of the schools in question, is it not the case that education will become a devolved subject under the recent agreement which has now been approved by referendum? Will that not restore some democratic accountability to the whole situation?

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Hylton, is correct. This will be a matter for the Northern Ireland assembly. No decision has yet been taken on the timing of the transfer of funding, and the timetable will be dictated by the progress made this year on the development of the common formula.

Lord Cope of Berkeley

My Lords, is it not a little odd that this old Labour attack on the independence of these schools should take place at a time when the policy of the Department for Education of England and Wales—or at least the policy of Mr. Byers—appears to give greater financial independence to schools? Does the noble Baroness agree that to push through such a radical reform at this stage at breakneck speed demonstrates a rather arrogant attitude towards the new Northern Ireland assembly which the people of the Province are in the process of electing at the present time?

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton

My Lords, it is not part of the Government's policy to act with arrogance or to do anything to damage the success of the proposed NI assembly. There has been adequate consultation with the voluntary grammar schools and the grant-maintained integrated schools on the transfer of the responsibility. The funds for those schools will be protected.

Lord Campbell of Alloway

My Lords, what benefit is the proposed transfer thought to confer on the children?

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton

My Lords, the benefits include transparency, which will remove the false perception of other schools within the system that the voluntary grammar schools and the grant-maintained integrated schools are funded in a beneficial way. It will remove that sense of difference and the false perception of unfair treatment.