HC Deb 28 January 1993 vol 217 cc803-4W
Mr. Bowls

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what evidence he has about the buying of books by grant-maintained schools following the grant of grant-maintained status.

Mr. Forth

The results of surveys of grant-maintained schools conducted by the grant-maintained schools centre suggest that schools are able to spend substantially more on books following incorporation. The annual report of HM senior chief inspector of schools, "Education in England 1990–91" referred to the improved book stock in many grant-maintained schools.

Mr. Paice

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what level he has decided for the annual maintenance grant payable to grant-maintained schools(a) in Cambridgeshire and (b) elsewhere; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Forth

The consultation period on the proposals for calculating annual maintenance grant for grant-maintained schools in 1993–94 closed on 7 January. We are now considering the responses received and will make our final decisions as soon as possible. I will write to my hon. Friend when the decisions are announced.

Mr. Bowis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received from the headmaster of George Dixon school in Birmingham about the benefits of grant-maintained status for black pupils at inner city schools; what response he has made; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Forth

My right hon. Friend has received no such representations from the headmaster of George Dixon school in Birmingham. The advantages of grant-maintained status are becoming increasingly obvious as more schools opt for the autonomy it brings, as evident not least, from schools which have become grant-maintained in Birmingham. Pupils from all ethnic and social backgrounds in inner city schools can and do benefit from their schools becoming grant-maintained.

Mr. Bowis

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many Roman Catholic schools have(a) been approved for grant-maintained status, (b) applied for such status and (c) expressed interest in such status.

Mr. Forth

Full information is not collected centrally. Aggregated figures for voluntary aided, voluntary controlled and special agreement schools are as follows: 97 are operating or have been approved for grant-maintained status; 43 more have published proposals which are before the Secretary of State for his consideration; 28 have voted yes in parental ballots but not yet published proposals; 23 have ballots pending. Of the 97 operating or approved for grant-maintained status, 20 are Roman Catholic.