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Independent Schools (Assisted Pupils)

Volume 942: debated on Tuesday 17 January 1978

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12.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many local authorities have applied to continue their assistance to pupils at independent schools.

Does the hon. Lady agree that, short of Draconian powers—to which she is not likely to agree—the independent schools will not go away, and, therefore any scheme that can be devised to encourage exchange between the two systems would be desirable?

No, Sir. In our view, the duty of local authorities is to provide suitable places in maintained schools for the children in their areas, and there should be no need to take up places in other establishments.

Will my hon. Friend accept the warm appreciation of the people of Cambridgeshire for her firm decision to revoke the arrangement whereby ratepayers' money was used to fund children at Kimbolton, Stamford and The Perse independent schools? Will she assure the House that, if there is any prevarication by Cambridgeshire County Council, she will not hesitate to use other legal powers to ensure that such a blatant misuse of public resources is not continued?

I thank my hon. Friend for his kind remarks. We have communicated our decision to Cambridgeshire County Council, and it has made representations to us, which we are considering. However, I can tell my hon. Friend that under the 1976 Act the authority has a duty to cease taking up such places, since my Department has now forbidden it.

Can the Minister explain why, only a few days before examinations were to take place, her right hon. Friend suddenly and arbitrarily made a decision that affected nearly 70 children in the Cambridge area? Is that the way to engage the support of local authorities in the progress of education in the county?

I cannot understand why the hon. Gentleman thinks the decision was either sudden or arbitrary, since it was authorised by Parliament in the 1976 Education Act. Authorities have known ever since that they might lose those powers. Indeed, in last October's Cambridgeshire County Council guide to parents on secondary education it was pointed out that my Department might refuse permission to take up such places.