HC Deb 18 February 1988 vol 127 cc681-2W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what number of administrators he estimates will need to be added to the current administrations of the 12 proposed inner London local education authorities for the purpose of administering education in their own areas following the abolition of the Inner London education authority;

(2) how many administrators he estimates will be needed by the proposed 12 inner-London local education authorities for the administration of student award schemes for the 12 separate authorities after the abolition of the Inner London education authority;

(3) how many additional administrators he estimates will be needed by the proposed 12 inner-London local education authorities for the purpose of recoupment arrangements between each of these boroughs, after the abolition of the Inner London education authority.

Mr. Dunn

Each inner London council will be responsible for deciding on the appropriate staffing levels to fulfil its duties as a local education authority from 1 April 1990.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the additional duties which the Government intend to impose on the inner London borough councils, in the period 1 April 1989 to 31 March 1991, as a result of the abolition of the inner London education authority.

Mr. Dunn

As my right hon. Friend explained in his statement on 4 February, we propose that the inner London boroughs should become the local education authorities for their areas on 1 April 1990. During 1989 they will be required to produce development plans, setting out the service they propose to provide and the arrangements they envisage for the transfer, as a basis for local consultation.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to ensure the maintenance and continuation of the innovation and research work undertaken by the Inner London education authority's research and statistics branch.

Mr. Dunn

Each inner London council will be required to produce, during 1989, a development plan setting out the service it proposes to provide. My right hon. Friend made it clear in his statement on 4 February, at columns 1178–79, that we will also be discussing with the boroughs which services, if any, might be provided on a co-operative basis.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements will be made by his Department to monitor and evaluate curriculum developments within the proposed new 12 inner London local education authorities, following the abolition of the Inner London education authority.

Mr. Dunn

The inner London education authorities will be covered by the requirements of the national curriculum as this is introduced, in the same way as all other education authorities in England. The information provisions will ensure that parents and others are kept fully informed about the curriculum offered to pupils and their achievements.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science why his statement to the House on the reorganisation of education in London did not define in detail which of the Inner London education authority's services are planned to be transferred to which successor bodies; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dunn

As my right hon. Friend made clear in his statement, this will be a matter for discussion with the inner London councils.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will indicate in detail what scope he envisages for the setting up of joint education boards under section 6 of and schedule 1 to the Education Act 1944 covering parts of the inner-London area following the abolition of the Inner London education authority; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dunn

My right hon. Friend explained in his statement that each inner London council will become the local education authority for its area. We will be discussing with the councils which services, if any, might be provided on a co-operative basis. If necessary, powers under the Education Act 1944 enable the Secretary of State to require groups of boroughs to establish joint education committees in respect of certain services.