§ Baroness Blatchasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Blackstone on 30 March (WA 11), on what authority the Secretary of State for Education and Employment made the statement that, "I can further confirm that we will be expanding rapidly our education action 149WA zones programme. We shall fund a five-fold increase to establish 25 zones by January 1999". [HL1343]
§ Baroness BlackstoneThe 30 March statement was on the authority of Her Majesty's Government. The statutory definition of education action zones is set out in the Schools Standards and Framework Bill. If the relevant provisions do not receive Royal Assent, or if Royal Assent is delayed, the action zone programme will be established on a voluntary basis.
§ Baroness Blatchasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many applications to establish education action zones have been received; and [HL1340]
How many action zone applications include local education authorities as (a) primary sponsor/partner or (b) constituent partner; and [HL1341]
Of all the applications to date, what is (a) the least and (b) the largest number of schools within an action zone. [HL1342]
§ Baroness BlackstoneSixty applications were received by the closing date of 20 March. These are currently being assessed. I will write to the noble Baroness when the relevant information is available.
§ Baroness Blatchasked Her Majesty's Government:
How much officials' time in man days has been allocated to visit each education action zone area to evaluate the application. [HL1339]
§ Baroness BlackstoneTime will be found within officials' responsibilities to meet this priority initiative.