66Grants in respect of preliminary expenditure
(1)The Secretary of State may pay grants to the governing body of an aided or special agreement school in respect of any preliminary expenditure incurred by them for the purposes of a scheme for the transfer of the school to a new site or the enlargement or alteration of the school premises.
(2)Where any persons propose or are considering whether to propose—
(a)that a school established by them, or by persons whom they represent, should be maintained by a local education authority as an aided school, or
(b)that a school which may be so established should be so maintained,
the Secretary of State may pay grants to them in respect of any preliminary expenditure incurred by them for the purposes of a scheme for the provision of a site for the school or of any buildings which would be school buildings.
(3)Grants under subsection (1) or (2) may be paid in respect of a scheme such as is mentioned in that subsection whether or not—
(a)the details of such a scheme had been formulated at the time when the expenditure was incurred,
(b)where such details were not formulated at that time, they are subsequently formulated,
(c)the governing body or persons in question had determined to proceed with such a scheme at that time, or
(d)where they had not determined to proceed with such a scheme at that time, they subsequently determine to proceed with such a scheme.
(4)Expenditure in respect of which such grants are payable includes, in particular, costs incurred in connection with—
(a)the preparation of plans and specifications for any proposed construction, enlargement or alteration of buildings which are or would be school buildings, and
(b)estimating the sums which would be expended if any such works were carried out,
but does not include any sums expended in carrying out any such works.
(5)A grant under subsection (1) or (2) shall not exceed 85 per cent. of the expenditure in respect of which it is paid.
(6)Where—
(a)a grant is paid under subsection (1) in the case of any school, or
(b)a grant is paid under subsection (2) in the case of any school which becomes, or is established as, a voluntary school,
the grant shall for the purposes of section 173 be treated as expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State (otherwise than in connection with repairs) in respect of the school premises.