HC Deb 03 February 1992 vol 203 cc17-8W
Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the cost of ballots of parents held under section 61 of the Education Act 1988; for which schools he has required a fresh ballot to be held as a result of his guidance not being followed; and in each case what was the reason and who paid the cost of each ballot.

Sir Wyn Roberts

The total cost of ballots of parents held under the Education Reform Act is £8,720.47. No fresh ballots have been necessary.

Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what applications have been received from grant-maintained schools for special purpose grant-restructuring; and in each case(a) how many posts have been affected and (b) what grant has been paid.

Sir Wyn Roberts

Grant-maintained schools have been invited to apply for special purpose grant for restructuring. No claims have been received to date.

Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many copies have been distributed and, in each case, at what cost of all the editions of the booklets(a) "School Governors, How to Become a Grant-maintained School," (b) "Grant-maintained Schools, Questions Parents Ask" and (c) "Grant-maintained Schools, What it Means for Staff."

Sir Wyn Roberts

The information is as follows:

  1. (a) 7,000 costing £4,770£35;
  2. (b) 250 produced at minimal cost by the Department; and
  3. (c) copies of the staff booklet will be distributed shortly.

Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales for each of the financial years 1989–90 and 1990–91, what have been the individual levels of(a) relief from liability for rates, (b) special purpose grant (VAT) and (c) annual maintenance grant for each grant-maintained school.

Sir Wyn Roberts

There were no grant-maintained schools in Wales for the years in question.

Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what applications have been received from grant-maintained schools for capital grant and what has been the level of grant approved in each case; and what has been the average capital allocation per pupil in the grant-maintained sector and the average capital expenditure per pupil in the local education authority-maintained sector.

Sir Wyn Roberts

Grant-maintained schools in Wales have been invited to apply for capital grant. No applications have been received to date. In 1989–90, the latest date for which the information is available, the average capital expenditure per pupil in the local education authority maintained sector was £87.

Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been(a) the maximum possible and (b) the actual level of transitional grant in respect of each grant-maintained school; and for what purposes the approved expenditure was incurred.

Sir Wyn Roberts

The maximum amount available under the transitional grant arrangements is £60,000. Cwmcarn grant-maintained school and Bishop Vaughan Catholic comprehensive school are eligible to claim up to £39,900 and £57,300 respectively.

The grant is available to cover costs incurred by prospective governing bodies in preparing for grant-maintained status, such as advertising, office equipment, computers and administration.