§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) if she will make a statement on the future responsibilities of local authorities in respect of the funding of schools which have not opted out; [15186]
(2) if she is considering removing the responsibility for funding all schools from local education authorities. [15191]
§ Mr. Robin SquireMy right hon. Friend has no plans to change the present responsibilities of local education authorities for funding the compulsory years of education in the schools which they maintain. The official task force which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State established to draw up proposals to implement my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's commitment on the provision of pre-school places for four-year-olds in considering funding mechanisms as part of its work. The 1994 competitiveness White Paper announced that the Government would be looking at the practical implications of learning credits for all 16 to 19–year-olds. The Government have commissioned consultants to consider the costs and benefits of various options, and will be considering the next steps in due course.
§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what is her policy in respect of transferring the responsibility for funding all state schools to the Funding Agency for Schools. [15187]
§ Mr. Robin SquireMy right hon. Friend has no such plans.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what advice or guidelines she has issued to schools unable to meet the Government funding limits.
§ Mr. Robin SquireIt is for governing bodies to deploy schools' budgets in the light of their own priorities and within the resources available to them.