§ 3. Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set up an inquiry into the standards of academic performance and discipline in comprehensive schools.
§ Mr. MulleyNo, Sir. All aspects of performance in all types of school are the continuing concern of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools, from whom I receive regular advice. In addition the Inspectorate are now conducting a survey of secondary schools where the aim is to describe the character and to assess the quality of secondary education over the last two years of compulsory schooling.
§ Mr. WintertonI thank the Minister for that reply. Is he aware that his answer will be highly unsatisfactory to many parents who are particularly interested in standards and discipline in schools? Is he further aware that in many urban areas in which comprehensive schools have been established, truancy is on the increase and that, at the same time, the examination record is lower?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman is breaking this afternoon's record.
§ Mr. Winterton rose——
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman has asked his supplementary question.
§ Mr. MulleyI do not want to get involved in matters of indiscipline in the 1079 House, Mr. Speaker. On the question of discipline in schools, it is not unlikely that since over two-thirds of secondary schools are comprehensive schools, some of the small group of badly behaved pupils should be among pupils in those schools. There is no evidence that comprehensive reorganisation has added to the problem, which I accept is the real problem of discipline in schools generally.
§ Mr. StonehouseWill my hon. Friend accept from me as a parent who, in an excess of misguided political zeal, sent two daughters to a comprehensive school, that standards in some comprehensive schools leave much to be desired?
§ Mr. MulleyIf my recollection serves me correctly, it is some years since my right hon. Friend's daughters left school. Things have probably changed in the interim.
§ Mr. LaneWill the Government do more to ensure that the lessons learned in areas where comprehensive reorganisation has worked well are promptly applied in areas where it is patently not working so well?
§ Mr. MulleyNaturally we wish all schools to benefit from the best experience available. As the House has not seen fit to grant me national control over the system of secondary education, my influence is at the moment limited.