§ 15. Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he now envisages publication of required schools information for parents; and what measures he intends to take to ensure that such information has the fullest possible distribution.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThe Education (School Information) Regulations 1981 were laid before the House on 1 May. They prescribe the information to be published by local education authorities and school governors and the manner of publication and distribution. Publication will start in the 1981–2 academic year.
§ Mr. FreudDoes the Minister accept that the provision of information is not enough? Will he assure the House that the information will be publicised and that, in areas with ethnic minorities, the information will be multi-lingual?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThat is incumbent upon the local education authorities. We expect that most authorities will wish to publish the information this autumn or soon after Christmas. I urge them strongly to do that.
§ Mr. CryerThe Minister is placing another statutory duty on local education authorities. Will he confirm that Government money will be provided to meet in full the cost of the extra statutory duties which the Government are imposing upon education authorities?
§ Mr. MacfarlaneThat is a matter for the local education authorities, which have been consulted fully throughout all the negotiations leading up to legislation last year.