§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, when granting an application by the governors of a direct-grant school to remove the school to new premises in a new pupil catchment area, she imposes conditions concerning maintenance of that school in direct-grant or voluntary assisted status.
§ Mrs. ThatcherNo. My approval of new buildings would not be required if the school itself did not intend to continue as a direct-grant school or to seek maintained status.
§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps she intends to take to ensure that schools of direct-grant status do not, after support from public funds, become independent schools.
§ Mrs. ThatcherDirect grant is paid to schools in respect of current services which they render: if they choose to discontinue these services they are free to do so. There is no investment of public funds which might need to be protected.