HL Deb 06 October 2003 vol 653 cc3-4WA
Baroness Sharp of Guildford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What information they are collecting on the number and nature of school companies being formed under Section 11 of the Education Act 2002. [HL4582]

Baroness Ashton of Upholland

Regulation 25 of The School Companies Regulations 2002 and Regulation 17 of The School Companies (Private Finance Initiative Companies) Regulations 2002 require information to be sent to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills concerning school companies formed under Section 11 of the Education Act 2002. In both cases, the supervising authority for the company must inform the Secretary of State, in writing, within 28 days of becoming the supervising authority of the following: the members of the company; the name and registered number of the company; and the fact that it is the supervising authority for the company.

This will enable the Secretary of State to ascertain the number of such companies. There are no plans to collect information on the nature of such school companies.