§ 3. Mr. Ellisasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the machinery for consultations between local education authorities in Wales and parents of schoolchildren when it is proposed to move pupils from one school to another and there is a language difference involved; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasThis is essentially a matter for determination by the local education authority concerned. My aim is to encourage where appropriate the maximum consultation with parents, teachers' organisations and the managers and governors of schools before decisions are reached by local education authorities on such matters.
§ Mr. EllisWhile thanking the Secretary of State for that answer, may I ask him whether he is aware that there is a case of a school in my constituency where a decision was reached to transfer children from a Welsh-speaking school at fifth form stage to an English-speaking school, and that this was done without any consultation with parents? Is he aware that it was only due to some determined resistance on the part of the parents that the local authorities scotched the decision, at least for the time being? Does he not think that this is a deplorable state of affairs?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Long questions delay progress.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI take it that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the Morgan Llwyd school. Any proposals which would make a significant change in the character of that school would require my approval before implementation.