HC Deb 05 February 1980 vol 978 cc147-8W
33. Mr. Straw

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he now expects the assisted places scheme to be introduced.

Mr. Mark Carlisle

I hope that the assisted places scheme will start in the 1981–82 school year, subject to the passage of the Education (No. 2) Bill and the availability of resources.

49. Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement concerning the progress of consultations on his scheme for assisted places at private schools.

Mr. Mark Carlisle

There have been five meetings between officials of my Department and the Welsh Office education department and representatives of the Independent Schools Joint Council. Officers representing the local authority associations have attended these meetings as observers. To provide a basis for wider consultation I hope to publish later this week details of proposals for the means test that will govern eligibilty for assistance under the scheme and I shall, as soon as possible, publish a draft of the regulations that will govern the scheme. As promised in my Department's letter of 6 December, I shall as soon as possible be informing local education authorities of the response to that letter from schools serving their area and inviting their views on the operation of the scheme in their area.

55. Mr. Brinton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what response he has received to his invitation to independent schools to express interest in the assisted places scheme.

Dr. Boyson

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing) on 4 February.