HC Deb 25 January 1994 vol 236 cc174-5W
Mrs. Ann Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what applications were received from grant-maintained schools for capital grant for the financial year 1994–95; what was the level of grant approval in each case; what is the total value of (i) applications and (ii) approvals; and how much has been set aside for the second round of bids closing on 28 January.

Mr. Robin Squire

I have placed in the Library copies of papers detailing the applications received from grant-maintained schools for 1994–95 and the allocations approved.

Applications from grant-maintained schools incorporated up to September 1993 totalled £315 million for funding in 1994–95 and £133 million for subsequent years. Allocations worth over £40 million have so far been made and projects worth over £30 million are being funded for extra development work in 1994–95.

A minimum of £8 million has been set aside for 1994–95 starts in the next round of bids open to schools incorporated between September 1993 and January 1994.

Mrs. Ann Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what was the planned level of capital expenditure on grant-maintained schools for 1994–95 published in the DFE's departmental report, Cm 2210 in February 1993; what is the level of capital expenditure on grant-maintained schools for 1994–95 published in DFE press notice 425–93 in December 1993; and what is the reason for the difference between the two figures.

Mr. Robin Squire

The two sets of figures are not strictly comparable. The figure of £165 million in Cm 2210 relates to the total planned expenditure in 1994–95. The figure of £150 million in press notice 425–93 relates to the allocation of funds in particular projects within the capital programme and also includes allocations brought forward into the current financial year and projects of high priority for 1995–96.

Mrs. Ann Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Education if the 82 grant-maintained schools where bids for more than £30 million of capital grant were unsuccessful for 1994–95, but which were identified in the DFE press notice 425–93 as high priorities for funding in 1995–96, and which have been awarded funds to start development work on the projects, are being given advance priority over other grant-maintained schools which will be submitting bids for capital grant in 1995–96.

Mr. Robin Squire

Funding for 1995–96 is not guaranteed at this stage. The allocations for 1994–95 are intended to enable the schools to develop proposals which have been identified as high priorities for a future year. These schools, and all other grant-maintained schools, will be able to bid for funding in 1995–96 in the usual way.