HC Deb 01 December 1987 vol 123 cc526-7W
31. Mr. Rowlands

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many replies he has now received to his consultative papers on the Education Reform Bill; and how many of these have expressed support for his proposals on(a) the allocation of time to foundation subjects, (b) testing and attainment targets and (c) grant-maintained schools.

Mrs. Rumbold

By 27 November, we had received 18,500 responses to the various consultation documents. Many respondents have commented in some detail on one proposal, and replies could not readily be classified as requested by the hon. Member.

36. Miss Lestor

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the position under the forthcoming Education Reform Bill regarding children with special needs at schools applying for grant maintained status.

Mr. Dunn

The introduction of grant-maintained schools will not prejudice the integration of children with special educational needs into mainstream schools. Any schools making provision for pupils with special needs will be required to continue to do so on becoming grant-maintained, in keeping with the Government's policy that they should not change their character in the course of attaining that status. My right hon. Friend will approve the admission arrangements for grant-maintained schools, and there will be arrangements for dealing with complaints if parents feel that these policies are not being complied with. The grant to be received by a grant-maintained school will be equivalent to the funding that it would have received, had it remained with its LEA. Thus, additional costs incurred in providing for any children with special needs will be taken fully into account.

75. Mr. Fry

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make it his policy to delay any further decisions on applications from local education authorities for major changes in the local organisation of secondary education and the approval of new tertiary colleges until after his projected Education Reform Bill has received the Royal Assent; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dunn

No. Where statutory proposals for school reorganisation come before my right hon. Friend for decision, he is obliged under existing legislation to consider them on their individual merits. The Department's circular 3/87 makes it clear that my right hon. Friend wishes LEAs to continue to put forward proposals for school reorganisation.