§ Mr. Roger KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the procedures under the Education Reform Act 1988 relating to applications by schools for grant-maintained status.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerI am concerned at suggestions that some local education authorities may be seeking to deter or hinder governing bodies and parents from exercising the rights given to them under the Education Reform Act to seek grant-maintained status for their children's school. My Department will therefore be writing in the near future to all local education authorities to draw their attention to their responsibilities under the Education Acts. Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.