To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had on the possibility of academy schools being sponsored by (a) the Armed Forces and (b) his Department; and what consideration he is giving to the establishment of a military academy school in Colchester. (244476)

[holding answer 16 December 2008]: I have held discussions with my hon. Friend the Minister for Schools and Learners over the future of the Duke of York’s Royal Military School, including the possible option of it becoming an academy, but no decisions have yet been made. While the MOD has no current plans to sponsor academies, service representatives often become involved with academies to represent service families as an interested party within the local community. In discussions with my hon. Friend the Minister for Schools and Learners, we agreed to look at encouraging the creation of academy schools with links to the local military community, in areas with historic military links and a large military presence, such as Colchester.