HC Deb 14 October 1991 vol 196 c64W
Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the level of financial support from his Department in 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91 for the Grant Maintained Schools Trust.

Mr. Eggar

Payments of central Government grant in each financial year have been as follows:

(£)
1988–89 25,000
1989–90 250,000
1990–91 448,000

Mr. Alan Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the total number of opt-out ballots which have taken place since the introduction of the scheme; and how many(a) were for, (b) were 'against' and (c) had a majority either way of less than 5 per cent. of parents eligible to vote.

Mr. Eggar

There have been 311 ballots of parents on GM status since the introduction of the policy. Of these 242 have been votes for and 69 have been votes against. The answer to the last part of the question could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Fraser

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science in considering applications for grant-maintained status for schools in Bromley, what consideration is given to the statutory obligation to educate all in-borough children who present themselves to the local education authority and the statutory obligation not to discriminate in favour of in-borough children.

Mr. Eggar

We take careful account of all relevant factors relating to school admissions when considering proposals for grant-maintained status published by Bromley schools. This includes statutory objections made to the proposals by Bromley LEA in relation to its statutory obligations and the impact approval would have on admissions to maintain schools in its area.