§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why he has required governors of voluntary schools to submit all proposals for works costing more than £100 to his Department for individual approval; and how many civil servants in his Department will be engaged on the approval of these works.
§ Dr. BoysonThis requirement was introduced last November because of the high level of expenditure on grants to voluntary aided and special agreement schools during 1980–81 and in the first six months of the current financial year. Approvals are dealt with by the Department's staff who normally deal with the payment of grant to voluntary schools. No additional staff are needed.