HC Deb 01 February 1994 vol 236 cc668-9W
11. Mr. Jack Thompson

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement about the progress of the scheme for grant-maintained schools in Northumberland.

Mr. Robin Squire

There is only one self-governing school in Northumberland at present—a much smaller proportion than in the country as a whole. But there is considerable interest at other schools, representatives from 50 of which attended one of the Department's conferences about grant-maintained status last year.

Mr. Byers

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans he has to establish freephone lines to advise the public on grant-maintained school status on a national and regional basis; how long he expects such lines to be in operation; if they will offer a 24-hour a day service; and what is the estimate of cost.

Mr. Robin Squire

My right hon. Friend has no such plans.

Mr. Byers

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what has been the cost of the recent press advertisements promoting the availability. of information concerning grant-maintained school status.

Mr. Robin Squire

The cost of the present series of advertisements, designed to provide factual information on grant-maintained status to parents, governors and schools, will be about £200,000.

Mr. Garnier

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pupils are now being educated in self-governing grant-maintained schools.

Mr. Patten

Over 530,000 pupils are now being educated in 814 self-governing schools. This represents 16 per cent. of England's secondary school population, and a significant and growing proportion of all primary school pupils.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many schools within Greater London have opted out of local education authority control; and how many have applications being considered by his Department.

Mr. Robin Squire

By 31 January, 145 schools were operating with grant-maintained status in the Greater London area, and two more had been approved for incorporation on 1 April. In addition, 14 schools had applications for grant-maintained status under consideration, and another six had voted in favour but had not yet published proposals.