HC Deb 19 December 1989 vol 164 c207W
29. Mr. Hanley

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress made by those schools which became grant-maintained in September 1989.

Mrs. Rumbold

The first 18 schools were incorporated as grant-maintained schools in September 1989. They are now experiencing the benefits of greater financial and administrative autonomy. They are proving popular with parents and pupils. I share their confidence in the future and expect them to take full advantage of the opportunities which grant-maintained status offers.