§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will review the income scale to be applied in calculating parental contributions in connection with the assisted places scheme should any of the participating schools increase its fees following the withdrawal of grant-aided support;
(2) if he has any powers to limit or veto increases in fees charged for education at grant-aided schools or independent schools in respect of those schools participating in the assisted places scheme.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe function of the parental income scale, which will apply equally to all families with children in assisted places irrespective of the school they attend, is to determine a contribution which represents the amount that a family at any given point in the scale can reasonably be expected to afford. Fee increases would not affect this amount and no adjustment of the scale in respect of fee increases would therefore be appropriate. Such increases would, however, affect the amount of fee remission payable by the Government and I propose, therefore, to reserve a right to limit fee increases in relation to assisted pupils. This is provided for in new section 75A(8) contained in clause 5 of the Education (Scotland) (No. 2) Bill.
§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the decision by Dundee high school to include an entrance examination for an assisted place is in accordance with the arrangements for considering the eligibility of those for an assisted place.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe proposal is that schools which participate in the assisted places scheme will be free to make the arrangements they consider appropriate in the light of their own circumstances for the admission of children to assisted places.