HC Deb 12 May 1992 vol 207 cc63-4W
Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the total number of outstanding inquiries received about obtaining grant-maintained status.

Mr. Forth

There is no official record of inquiries about obtaining grant-maintained status; however, there are 43 outstanding proposals published by governors of schools seeking to obtain grant-maintained status.

Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many primary schools have become grant-maintained.

Mr. Forth

There are 34 grant-maintained primary schools in England, with a further seven so far approved to begin in September 1992.

Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what action he intends to take to facilitate grant-maintained schools becoming city technology colleges.

Mr. Forth

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made clear his commitment to extending the benefits of city technology colleges to schools wishing to become grant-maintained technology colleges. The Government will be setting out their proposals for this and other measures to extend parental choice and the diversity of schools in a White Paper to be published by the end of the summer.

Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the total number of grant-maintained schools.

Mr. Forth

There are 217 GM schools operating in England, with a further 31 so far approved to begin in September 1992.

Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the current average length of time taken to determine grant-maintained status.

Mr. Forth

The current average length of time from publication of proposals to decision is approximately 4.5 months.

Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many denominational schools have obtained grant-maintained status; and how many inquiries are outstanding from such schools for grant-maintained status.

Mr. Forth

There are 17 denominational grant-maintained schools. Proposals for a further four have been approved. Proposals from two further schools will be determined in due course.