HC Deb 11 November 1975 vol 899 cc1118-9
4. Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the number of pupils who play truant from school at the latest date for which figures are available.

Miss Joan Lestor

As I stated in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Wallasey (Mrs. Chalker) on 31st October—[Vol. 898, c. 624–5]—no national information is available subsequent to that which has already been given to the House following the Department's survey of absence in maintained middle and secondary schools on 17th January 1974.

Mr. Janner

Does my hon. Friend agree that the survey which was carried out showed a massive rate of truancy, that any truancy of this sort is invariably a sign of danger to the young person and to the home concerned, and that it is very important for us to have full knowledge of all the facts, in order to understand how to arrest and deal with truancy? What steps is my hon. Friend proposing to take, in the circumstances, to cope with this problem?

Miss Lestor

The survey gave a useful overall picture. It is evident that the system of establishing national returns needs to be more elaborate before any conclusions can be drawn from them. The consultative letter on behavioural problems—connected, undoubtedly, with the whole question of truancy—which was sent to interested bodies in May this year, asked for the views of the people concerned. A copy of the consultative letter is in the Library, and we hope to see comments on it before deliberating on what more can be done.

Dr. Boyson

Concerning the survey of 17th January 1974 to which the Minister referred, is the Minister aware that the schools had one month's notice that there would be a survey on that day, that the survey was done by the schools themselves, and that it is known that in certain cases, in order to ensure a high attendance, nobody went to the clinics, and that the schools themselves decided what was meant by truancy?

Is she further aware that in 1973 the magazine "Where" stated that reliance could not be placed on registers in cases like this?

Does the Minister therefore agree that we ought to return to the system under which school inspectors made spot checks on attendance, and that only in that way shall we know the extent of this problem, which is certainly a large one?

Miss Lestor

As I have already said, the survey admittedly had defects. Some may relate to the points mentioned by the hon. Gentleman. We are awaiting responses from interested bodies on this whole question, and it may well be that the suggestion he has put forward will be considered.