§ 7. Mr. Marksasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will except the proposed metropolitan districts from his proposals to give to education authorities powers to provide a careers guidance and placing service.
§ Mr. R. CarrNo, Sir.
§ Mr. MarksIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these education authority areas bear no relation to travel-to-work areas or to areas for career opportunity? Would it not be advisable for schools to deal direct with the Department of Employment? Will the Secretary of State consult his right hon. Friend on this matter?
§ Mr. CarrWe believe that, on the whole, there is advantage in local education authorities continuing to run their 653 own service. If they are to do that, the area on which that service has to be based should be the local education authority area, whatever that may be. I think that is certain.
We considered carefully the alternative possibility of the whole thing being done by my Department. However, we must recognise that the education authorities have built up very great expertise. They are dedicated to this work and I believe that, on balance, it is right to leave it with them. Whether it should be mandatory on them is, as I said in our publication People and Jobs, a matter for further consideration and consultation.