To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether a Task Force, Steering Group or any other regular series of meetings was set up to consider the transfer of the delivery of the Academies programme to Partnerships for Schools. (159794)

During the Department’s consideration of the delivery method for academy building projects appropriate project management structures were put in place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families on what dates liaison meetings were held between the academies and schools capital divisions in his Department and Partnerships for Schools since July 2005. (159803)

Frequent meetings have taken place between the Department and Partnerships for Schools (PfS) in this period, ranging from strategic meetings with Ministers and PfS to day-to-day operational meetings. A full response to this question could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether his Department gained the approval of (a) HM Treasury and (b) the Prime Minister for the transfer of the delivery of the Academies programme to Partnerships for Schools. (160260)

Yes, all appropriate approvals were obtained.