§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is able to give more information about the Government's plans for grant-maintained schools.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerI intend to bring forward legislation to enable the governors of county and voluntary maintained schools, with the support of the parents, to apply for maintenance by grant from central Government instead of maintenance by local education authorities. The Government believe that this proposal, which will extend to all secondary schools and to larger primary schools, will add a new and powerful dimension to the ability of parents to exercise choice within the publicly provided sector of education.
I am today publishing a consultation paper which explains the Government's proposals in detail. I should be glad to receive comments in response to it by 30 September 1987. Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Library and the Vote Office.