Mr. John Mark Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the establishment of new Church of England secondary schools in the maintained sector; what account this policy takes of the level of provision of Church of England primary schools in the area concerned; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DunnThe Education Act 1980 already leaves church authorities free, after consultation with the local education authority, to publish proposals for the establishment of new voluntary schools. Such proposals would fall to my right hon. Friend to decide and he would examine each case on its individual merits in the light of the educational interests of the pupils concerned, local circumstances (including the wishes of parents), the expenditure factors involved and all other relevant considerations including the Government's educational policy.