HC Deb 15 March 1971 vol 813 cc911-2
51. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will make statements on the relationship of her Department with the Schools Broadcasting Council and the Schools Council, on their areas of responsibility, and on the financial arrangements for public funds for their activities.

Mr. van Straubenzee

The Department appoints two of the members of the School Broadcasting Council and is represented on the Schools Council and all its main committees. The respective responsibilities of the two Councils are set out in their constitutions, extracts from which I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Broadcasts for schools by the British Broadcasting Corporation are financed from licence revenue at its disposal. The Schools Council is financed jointly by the Department and the local education authorities.

Dame Irene Ward

I thank my hon. Friend for that Answer and the expansion in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Who was responsible far circulating what are called package deals which, from my information, seem to be rather unsuitable? What authority has my hon. Friend over the details of package deals which are cir- culated by the Schools Council? Do not these deals need careful consideration?

Mr. van Straubenzee

I am not sure whether my hon. Friend has yet received a letter from me which I have written to her recently—

Dame Irene Ward

I have not.

Mr. van Straubenzee

—in answer to certain representations which she made to me. I looked carefully at the specific case which she was good enough to draw to my attention and I hope that I have been able to give her information which will be of assistance to her. In general terms, the answer to her is that my Department is represented on the Schools Council, but we would not normally reckon to interfere in detail with decisions of that kind.