HC Deb 02 February 1993 vol 218 cc145-6W
17. Mr. Riddick

To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he received a copy of the annual survey of the grant-maintained schools centre; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Forth

My right hon. Friend received a copy of the GSMC survey on 30 November. The survey demonstrated clearly the benefits of grant-maintained status, which enables schools to manage their own affairs and gives them the flexibility to target funding at classroom level. Copies of the survey are available in the Library.

18. Dr. Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what are the latest figures for the number of grant-maintained schools in both the secondary and primary phases.

Mr. Forth

To date, there are 262 secondary schools and 75 primary schools operating as grant-maintained. A further 49 secondary schools and 14 primary schools have been approved for grant-maintained status; 161 secondary schools and 61 primary schools have applications in the pipeline after voting in favour of applying for grant-maintained status.