§ Mr. St. John-Stevasasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of maintained denominational schools which have been established since she became Secretary of State for Education and Science; and whether there is any restriction on the establishment of further maintained denominational schools, primary or secondary, where it can be shown there is a proven local need.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonMy right hon. Friend has approved, under Section 13(4)530W of the Education Act 1944, the establishment of 41 Roman Catholic and Church of England schools, most of them in the premises of existing schools as part of reorganisation plans. She has also approved proposals by local education authorities to cease to maintain a total of 72 voluntary schools. As in the past, proposals for additional voluntary schools are approved when there is both a basic and a denominational need for extra places.