HC Deb 14 April 1988 vol 131 cc210-1W
Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to introduce legislation to allow schools to opt out of the state education system; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

The Government have made it clear that there will be no proposals for opting out in the current session. The School Boards (Scotland) Bill, which was introduced on 16 March, contains no such provisions, and we do not anticipate any change to the Bill for this purpose.

The Government have also consistently made clear that we do not rule out provisions for opting out in future. However, no decisions have yet been taken about future legislation.

Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list in theOfficial Report the total amount of grant allocated by his Department to the Scottish Community Education Council in each of the past five years;

(2) when he expects to announce the total Scottish Office grant to be allocated to the Scottish Community Education Council in the financial year 1988–89.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Grant paid by the Scottish Education Department to the Scottish Community Education Council has been as follows:

£
1983–84 334,000
1984–85 346,050
1985–86 356,000
1986–87 542,000
1987–88 566,000

As to grant for 1988–89, I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 12 April to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood).