§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the shadow unitary authorities which submitted their proposals for local management of schools schemes by the stated deadline, indicating(a) which have been the subject of requests for further information, the length of time and deadline for the return of this information and (b) which have had their local management of schools schemes approved and the estimated latest date on which approval can be given to county borough local management of schools schemes to enable them to inform the schools of their budgets for April 1996 to March 1997. [22544]
§ Mr. RichardsThe 22 unitary authorities were asked to submit their draft schemes by 1 December, with subsequent amendments by 12 January this year. Thirteen authorities met the first deadline, all the second, although many of the schemes submitted were considered incomplete. It has been necessary to request far more information than anticipated in respect of all draft schemes submitted. The deadline set for the additional information has varied between authorities, in whose interests it is to provide the information as soon as possible. Additional information is still outstanding from four authorities.
Thirteen schemes have been approved so far. Subject to the timely provision of all the additional information requested, I would hope that all schemes can be approved by 1 April. I understand that many authorities have already given their schools an indication of their budget for 1996–97.