§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has yet received the report by management consultants on financial delegation to schools; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerThe report on "Local Management of Schools" by Coopers and Lybrand Associates is being published today. I welcome the report as an important document. It contains encouraging evidence of the benefits of financial delegation, and valuable advice on the practical steps needed to implement the Government's policies on financial delegation, as embodied in the Education Reform Bill now before the House. The report will be studied carefully by my Department, and deserves to be read by all those with an interest in this field.
I am sending copies to all local education authorities in England and to other interested bodies. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales is doing likewise in Wales. I have placed copies in the Libraries of both Houses.