§ Mr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will withdraw the document recently circulated by the Department of Education relating to proposals from Coopers and Lybrand concerning deprived schools; and if she will make a statement. [9002]
§ Mr. WorthingtonNo. It is an independent report which is intended to provide a framework for discussion on the main issues in the LMS formulae. Policy will be determined in the light of these discussions and consultation with schools. With regard to funding for deprived schools, the objective is to target funds more effectively at such schools and there is no intention to cut back on the total level of funding.