HC Deb 27 October 1981 vol 10 cc710-1
8. Mr. Heddle

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether his Department is satisfied with the methods used by local education authorities to monitor and reduce higher levels of school truancy.

Mr. William Shelton

These methods vary from area to area, and neither the authorities nor my Department can ever be fully satisfied that such a complex issue as truancy is being tackled in exactly the right way.

Mr. Heddle

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. Does he agree that hard core truancy is the kindergarten of crime, particularly in the inner city areas? Has my hon. Friend considered the resolution passed by the National Association of Head Teachers at its annual conference, that parental condoned truancy is still on the increase? Has he had the opportunity to consider Her Majesty's Inspectorate's report, which suggests that parental condoned truancy exists in about 20 out of every 100 schools? Has he any suggestions about how that can be contained or reduced?

Mr. Shelton

My hon. Friend has drawn attention to a serious problem. There is an increased problem of truancy condoned by parents. The short answer to my hon. Friend is that there is no way of tackling truancy nationally, other than by making courses in schools more interesting. The Government have already taken the initiative by examining the school curriculum. Furthermore, there are plans to introduce pre-vocational examinations at 17-plus, with a move to pre-vocational training in a balanced curriculum in the fourth and fifth years. We believe that that will do much to reduce truancy.

Mr. Freud

Perhaps the Minister would care to examine the French system whereby child benefits are paid against satisfactory school attendance records —[Interruption.]

Mr. Shelton

I shall certainly take up the hon. Gentleman's suggestion.