HC Deb 10 March 1981 vol 1000 cc750-1
18. Mr. Colin Shepherd

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied that the information required to be published by secondary schools is sufficient to enable parents and parents-to-be to assess the performance of the schools.

Mr. Macfarlane

My right hon. and learned Friend's intention is to prescribe by regulations to be made under section 8 of the Education Act 1980 the minimum information which parents need when they consider which school they wish their child to attend. He is at present considering the content of these regulations in the light of reactions to a consultative document issued last year, and hopes to make the regulations by about Easter.

Mr. Shepherd

Does my hon. Friend agree that the maximum amount of information is of essential importance to parents if they are to exercise their choice properly under the Education Act 1980? Will he make certain that the maximum possible amount of information is provided with regard to examination results and that it is presented in such a way as to enable proper comparisons to be made?

Mr. Macfarlane

I accept the point that my hon. Friend makes. We believe that the information that we are planning to make available will enable parents to make an informed choice of school and also contributes to the development of good and mutually supportive relationships between parents and schools. We hope that the regulations will make those points abundantly clear when they are produced by Easter.