HC Deb 28 February 1989 vol 148 cc135-7W
18. Ms. Mowlam

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received in respect of his letter of guidance to local authorities about the conduct of ballots for grant-maintained schools.

Mr. Bradley

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received in respect of his letter of guidance concerning the conduct of ballots for grant-maintained schools.

Mrs. Rumbold

Parents, governors and others continue to make known to my right hon. Friend their concerns about the conduct of ballots on grant-maintained status.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools have applied to him for grant-maintained status; and if he will make a statement.

36. Mr. Ray Powell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools have applied to him for grant-maintained status; and if he will make a statement.

39. Mr. Riddick

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many applications he has now received from schools wishing to opt out of local education authority control.

52. Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools have so far applied for grant-maintained status.

67. Mr. Sumberg

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools have now applied for grant-maintained status; and when he expects to decide on those applications.

Mr. John L. Marshall

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the number of schools seeking to opt out under the Education Reform Act.

Mrs. Rumbold

My right hon. Friend recently approved proposals for grant-maintained status published by Skegness grammar school and Audenshaw high school, and has today approved the proposal from St. James's School, Bolton. A further 11 schools have published such proposals, and 16 more have been required to do so by a positive vote of parents in a secret, postal ballot. My right hon. Friend will determine such proposals as quickly as the statutory procedures and his consideration of all the relevant factors permit. The Department understands that ballots are at present required to be held in respect of a further 13 schools. A large number of parents and governors continue to contact the Department about making applications for grant-maintained status.

38. Mr. Colin Shepherd

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many ballots have taken place for schools to adopt grant-maintained status; and if he will make a statement on the conduct of these ballots.

48. Mr. Roger King

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schools have balloted on changing to grant-maintained status.

88. Mr. Leigh

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the latest ballots of parents for grant-maintained school status.

Mrs. Rumbold

Parents have voted in ballots on grant-maintained status at 49 schools. My right hon. Friend is determined to ensure that all such ballots, and the preliminaries to them, are properly conducted. The Department wrote recently on this matter to the chief education officers of all local education authorities in England. I have sent a copy of that letter to all hon. and right hon. Members in England and Wales, and a copy has been placed in the Library of both Houses.

42. Mr. Butler

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress of local education authorities in disseminating correct information about grant-maintained status when changes of schools to such status are being contemplated.

63. Mr. Baldry

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the conduct of ballots for schools considering opting out.

68. Mr. David Shaw

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on intimidation in the context of schools deciding to apply for grant-maintained status.

Mrs. Rumbold

The Department's letter to local education authorities of 13 February sets out my right hon. Friend's views on these matters. It makes clear his concern about suggestions that some local education authorities may have been seeking to hinder or deter parents, governors and staff from considering a possible application for grant-maintained status, or from carrying out the statutory duties associated with such an application. It reminds local education authorities of their duties and responsibilities and of the need to ensure that any information they provide is accurate and represents a proper use of public funds.

50. Mr. Nicholas Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has had representations from the Grant-Maintained Schools Trust with regard to funding; and if he will make a statement.

51. Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from the Grant-Maintained Schools Trust with regard to funding; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

I refer hon. Members to the replies my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw) on Friday, 17 February at columns416–417.