§ 12. Mr. Molloyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what estimate she has made of the number of secondary schools which do not provide careers advice for their pupils; and what proportion this represents of the total number of secondary schools in England and Wales.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonNo recent survey has been made, but my Department's circular on local education authority curricular arrangements asked authorities to report on their activities for encouraging and facilitating careers education and guidance in schools. The need for further departmental action will be reviewed in the light of consultations based on the replies to that circular.
§ Mr. MolloyWhen my hon. Friend has those consultations, will she make it transparently clear to chief education officers and careers officers that there must be even more and better liaison between the pupils themselves, the pupils' parents, local industrialists, higher sections of education, and trade union officials in the areas involved?
§ Miss JacksonI certainly accept my hon. Friend's contention. We believe that as much information as posible should be available early in a pupil's career before subject choices are made, and certainly that parents should be involved as much as possible.
§ Mr. HaselhurstWhat estimate has the hon. Lady made about the amount of time per year in which each secondary school pupil actually has the benefit of careers education and guidance?
§ Miss JacksonWe shall be able to make such an estimate in a more informed way when we have the replies to the circular which is asking precisely that kind of question.