Haberdashers' Aske's CTC (Hansard, 13 November 1990)

§ Ms. Ruddock
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what numbers of pupils he has agreed should be admitted into the first-year group at the Haberdashers' Aske's city technology college in September 1991; and how many places will be available in the current year group for(a) boys and (b) girls;
(2) what is the total number of pupils he intends to fund at the Haberdashers' Aske's city technology college when it becomes fully operational.

§ Mr. Eggar
The Haberdashers' Aske's CTC Trust has not yet submitted its admissions policy for my right hon. and learned Friend's agreement. Under the provisions of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, selection arrangements for the CTC may not pay regard to the sex of the applicants. It is, nevertheless, likely that numbers of boys and girls entering the CTC will be broadly balanced.

§ Ms. Ruddock
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science which specific circumstances applying to the Haberdashers' Aske's city technology college, different from those at maintained schools. made it appropriate to approve articles of association for the college under which parent governors will be barred from serving on its finance committee.

§ Mr. Eggar
The Secretary of State enters into agreement with private sponsors to establish and maintain city technology colleges, which are independent schools. It is therefore for the CTC trust to decide on the role of governors, including parent governors, providing that, in the Secretary of State's estimation, this does not conflict with the needs of the CTC.

§ Ms. Ruddock
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how the sum provided in private sponsorship for the Haberdashers' Aske's city technology college is to be divided between(a) the value of the sites and premises of the proposed college and (b) other contributions to the capital costs of establishing the college; and what is the basis of his current valuation of the sites and premises.

§ Mr. Eggar
The Haberdashers' Company has agreed to make available a 99-year lease of the sites and premises of the Hatcham schools as its contribution towards initial capital costs of establishing the CTC. My right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State requested and received an assessment of their value for educational purposes from the district valuer. The Haberdashers' Company has also agreed to underwrite sponsorship of £1 million which may be contributed towards capital costs.