§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will give the approximate costs arising in his Department from the direct administration of grant-maintained schools for the year 1992, or 1991–92, and the estimated costs he expects to arise either in 1993, or the financial year 1993–94, stating the actual or expected number of schools in respect of each period.
§ Mr. ForthThe running costs of staff employed on the direct administration of GM schools and associated policy were £706,000 in 1991–92. Estimated outturn for 1992–93 is £1,450,000. Budgets for 1993–94 have not yet been set. In March 1992 there were 143 GM schools operating. There are currently 278 GM schools operating, with 30 more approved or minded to approve.
§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what arrangements he has made for allocating costs of the national fund for in-service training of teachers in grant-maintained schools for the year 1992–93; and what is the approximate expenditure for this purpose which he expects to allocate in the year 1993–94, expressed as an aggregate sum, and as the amount per teacher eligible for such training.
§ Mr. ForthIn 1992–93 each grant-maintained school is eligible for a special purpose grant (development) allocated at the rate of £42.50 per pupil. Schools are expected to spend at least half of this grant on staff training and development. Grant-maintained schools may also meet such costs out of their annual maintenance grant. Decisions have not yet been taken about special purpose grant (development) allocations for 1993–94.