§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the advantages he has identified for schools which opt out of local education authority control.
§ Mrs. RumboldGrant-maintained schools will be free to manage themselves as they think best within the law. Parents will enjoy enhanced influence over their conduct. Greater diversity within the maintained education system will lead to healthy competition, and thereby foster higher educational standards all round. My right hon. Friend has already approved proposals from three schools to become grant-maintained. Many more are following in their footsteps.