§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the reference of grant-aided schools to the Public Schools Commission, he will make a statement about the future level of grants to Scottish grant-aided schools.
§ Mr. RossI have decided that pending recommendations by the Public Schools Commission on grant-aided schools in Scotland a ceiling should be imposed on the amount of grant payable to grant-aided schools. The ceiling for each school (or each group of schools under the same management) would be set at the estimated amount of grant, on the basis of the "close" estimate as approved292W by the Scottish Education Department, for the schools' current financial year. I hope to publish shortly draft amending regulations to give effect to the decision. The grant-aided schools are being in-formed by letter today.