HC Deb 10 April 2002 vol 383 cc195-6W
Mr. Brady

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what has been the cost of servicing(a)petitions and (b)ballots on the future of grammar schools in each year since the introduction of the ballot regulations. [48230]

Mr. Timms

The Education (Grammar School Ballots) Regulations came into effect on 3 December 1998. Since then, there have been 39 requests for petition thresholds to be set, and one ballot has been held. To date, we have spent a total of £436,806.26 on petitions and ballots, as follows:

£
Petition year (a) Petition costs (b) Ballot costs Total for year
1998–99 22,778.81 0 22,778.81
1999–2000 216,283.51 1,708.07 218,063.58
2000–01 58,285.36 0 58,285.36
2001–02 137,678.51 0 137,678.51
Totals 435,026.19 1,780.07 436,806.26

Mr. Damian Green

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many grammar schools have held ballots on their future status; and what were the results of those ballots in each year since 1997. [47490]

Mr. Timms

Grammar school ballots legislation came into effect in December 1998, and since then one ballot has been held in respect of Ripon Grammar School; parents in the area voted 2–1 in favour of keeping selective admissions.