§ 69. Mr. ArbuthnotTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made by London boroughs in preparing for taking over the responsibilities currently undertaken by the Inner London education authority.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe inner London councils are required, under section 165 of the Education Reform Act, to publish a development plan for education in their area. Ten have already done so, and the remaining three have confirmed that they will do so later this week. All the councils have consulted locally about their proposed plans and have also reached joint agreement on a range of important issues of common concern. They continue to discuss arrangements for certain services currently provided on a cross-borough basis. The Government are making available £25 million specific grant for the councils in 1989–90 to support continued planning and preparation; all are making senior appointments to their education departments and are preparing to take on further staff to work on transfer arrangements. The Government look to the inner London councils to maintain and indeed increase this momentum in the coming months.