§ Mr. Silvesterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if the assisted places scheme will apply to specialist music schools; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Mark CarlisleI have decided that it would be appropriate to use some of the resources available for the assisted places scheme to assist some pupils attending certain specialist music schools. Subject to agreement with the schools concerned, I therefore have it in mind to make arrangements to assist the majority of pupils entering Chetham's school, Manchester from September 1981 and a limited number of pupils entering the Wells Cathedral school, Somerset, and the Purcell school, Harrow, from the same time. The numbers of pupils to be assisted and other details of the arrangements are still to be discussed with the schools, but it is likely that the assistance will be given under regulations made under section 100 of the Education Act 1944—under which assistance is already given to pupils at the Yehudi Menuhin school, Surrey—to allow assistance to be given, where appropriate, in respect of boarding fees, and of younger pupils than will be eligible for the assisted places scheme.