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Fee-paying Schools
Dr. Godman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the fee-paying schools which have received funds under (a) the targeting social needs scheme and (b) the raising school standards initiative, indicating the amounts received in each of the past three years and the sums forecast to be paid in 1997-98; and if he will make a statement. [15108]
Mr. Ancram: Fees in Northern Ireland's voluntary grammar schools are, with two exceptions, limited to a maximum capital fee of £80. All voluntary grammar schools receive some level of assistance from targeting social needs resources, on the principle that money follows the pupils eligible for free school meals. The amount going to voluntary grammar schools represents only 4 per cent. of the funds allocated under the scheme.
The table lists the sums received by each voluntary grammar school.
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(b) No fee-paying school receives any assistance under the Raising School Standards Initiative.
Bloody Sunday
Dr. Godman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received from the Taoiseach concerning Bloody Sunday; and if he will make a statement. [15258]
Sir John Wheeler: None. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister spoke to the Taoiseach on Friday 31 January; Bloody Sunday was among the many items discussed. The subject was also raised when my right hon. and learned Friend met the Tanaiste on Thursday 6 February.
3 February 1997: In col. 458-59, written answers, the question and answer relating to the new parliamentary building should read as follows:
Mr. Dixon:
To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee when construction of the new parliamentary building will commence; and if he will make a statement. [11925]
Sir Raymond Powell:
I am pleased to report that good progress is being made with the design and procurement of the new building. Contracts for over 70 per cent. of the work by value have been awarded. For example, prefabrication of the roof is proceeding apace in
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Lancashire, of the stone columns in Derbyshire and the contractors are well advanced with the detailed design and ordering of the mechanical and electrical services.
It had been planned that work would start on site today, 3 February 1997. Unfortunately London Underground Ltd. and its contractor have not made as much progress as they planned with the construction of the new Westminster station and are not able to hand back the site. My Committee has taken evidence in public and in private from the chief executive of LUL and from the project director on a number of occasions and, while we appreciate the magnitude of their task, they have been left in no doubt of the considerable disappointment that they have not been able to return
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the site on the due date. In due course the House will be pursuing the remedies available under the terms of the agreement with LUL.