§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of the implications for(a) the standard of education and (b) school budgets in those Inner London education authority boroughs which decide to stay in the Inner London education authority, in the event that a significant proportion of the wealthier less deprived boroughs decide to opt out; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DunnThe fact that boroughs dissatisfied with ILEA's educational and financial performance will be able to apply to opt out should act as a spur to improvements within ILEA. But the process of opting out should not in itself have a significant effect on either educational standards or school budgets in those inner London boroughs which decide to stay within the authority. Under the new arrangements for local government finance which will apply from 1 April 1990, inner London boroughs will receive revenue support grant related to their needs; any increase in average needs for boroughs remaining within ILEA due to other boroughs opting out will be reflected in an increase in grant.