§ Mr. WareingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what is his policy on providing additional funding to independent schools seeking to attain grant-maintained status; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Robin SquireAn independent school cannot be established as a grant-maintained school without first closing. Any funding available to a new GM school could be used only for the purposes of that school. The Secretary of State's approval of applications to establish new GM schools will depend on a variety of factors, including evidence of need for places in the area.