§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer on the assisted places scheme of 15 February 2000,Official Report, column 475W, when the assisted places scheme will be phased out in Shropshire; and if he will make a statement. [111062]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisAlmost all children currently holding assisted places in Shropshire will have completed their school education by the end of academic year 2003–04. We are providing continued support for existing assisted place holders for the remainder of the current phase of their school education. Those receiving secondary education will continue to hold their places until the completion of their secondary education. Those receiving primary education will normally hold their places until the end of their primary education, unless discretion is exercised under the Education (Schools) Act 1997 for individual children to have their places extended for a period in which they receive secondary education.