§ 33. Mr. James Lamondasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will take steps to prevent the establishment of funds for the provision by local authorities of places at independent schools in the light of the proposal by Greater Manchester Council to provide, at a cost of £2 million, free or assisted scholarships for attendance at independent schools within the county.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsI deplore the Greater Manchester Council's decision to establish this unnecessary scheme, but the council is not a local education authority and I have no power to intervene in its use of its powers under Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972.
§ 47. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pupils were being educated at independent schools recognised by her Department during 1977.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsIn January 1977 there were 326,832 full- and part-time pupils in independent schools recognised as efficient. Arrangements for the recognition of independent schools as efficient ended on 30th April 1978.