§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of independent schools operating in Wales for each financial year since 1975.
§ Mr. RichardsThe number of independent schools in Wales for each year since 1975 are given as follows:
240W
Year Number 1994 64 1993 65 1992 68 1991 71 1990 67 1989 66 1988 67
Year Number 1987 69 1986 69 1985 67 1984 70 1983 73 1982 71 1981 72 1980 68 1979 68 1978 64 1977 67 1976 68 1975 67
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact of the operation of the assisted places scheme in ensuring the continued operation of the independent schools sector.
§ Mr. RichardsNone. The scheme is intended to widen parental choice when selecting appropriate education for their children.
There are some 10,788 pupils in independent schools in Wales, of whom approximately 6.6 per cent.—714— were in the assisted places scheme, as at September 1994.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment his Department has made of the average household income of the pupils applying for assistance under the assisted places scheme; and what is the average household income of pupils covered by the assisted places scheme.
§ Mr. RichardsIncomes of households are variable and we have made no direct and separate assessment of the average household income of the pupils applying for assistance under the scheme in Wales. Some 714 pupils are currently receiving education at one of the participating schools in Wales; approximately 41 per cent. of parents pay no contribution to fees.