HC Deb 02 March 1967 vol 742 cc684-5
16. Miss Lestor

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what definition of immigrant he proposes that education authorities should use in implementing his circular in relation to the 30 per cent. quota system to be applied to immigrant children in schools.

Mr. Denis Howell

I would expect local education authorities to be guided by the children's special educational difficulties arising out of their different cultural and social backgrounds and their inadequate knowledge of English.

Miss Lestor

What precautions are taken to see that children born here of immigrant parents are not included in this quota? Bearing in mind that many of us are critical about this method of dealing with what is essentially a short-term problem, does my hon. Friend feel that sufficient effort has been put into trying to attract into areas which have this difficulty special teachers with qualifications to deal with the problem?

Mr. Howell

A tremendous amount of research and effort is being put in by all the local education authorities affected. As I think the House knows, I am at present in course of visiting and discussing with both the professionals and the local education authorities the problems arising.

In regard to the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, I should not like the House to think that because children are born here they ought not to be part of our consideration of this problem. It is particularly the case with Asians that, even though they may be born here, they still speak no English whatever when they reach school at the age of 5.

25. Mr. John Hall asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the total number of immigrant children now attending primary and secondary schools in England and Wales; and what estimate he has made of the additional number of school places likely to be required over the next five and 10 years, respectively, to cater for the needs of immigrant children.

Mr. Denis Howell

The latest figure is 131,043 in January, 1966, excluding those in schools with less than 10 immigrant pupils. In estimating the numbers of school places required in future years, we do not assess the needs of immigrant children separately but prospective immigration is one element in making general forward estimates of school population.

Mr. Hall

Is it not a fact that the continuing influx of immigrant children will provide an increasing and difficult problem which is bound to add to the cost of education? Is that not a subject which should be submitted, perhaps, to the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, which is conducting a study for the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

Mr. Howell

I will certainly consider that suggestion.

Mr. Ogden

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the parents of immigrant children also pay rates and taxes?