§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that any statement of income by an applicant for a place under the assisted places scheme can be verified by the Inland Revenue.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe method of checking statements of income is under consideration.
§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, further to his decision to allow parents whose children currently attend schools scheduled to be included in the assisted places scheme to apply for an assisted place for their children, he will ensure that each such school will keep a public record showing how many assisted places were awarded to pupils currently attending that school.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherI intend to obtain this information from the schools and to make it available to the House, if desired, but I do not think it would be appropriate to require the schools to publish it themselves.