§ 13. Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the report prepared by Her Majesty's Inspectorate on the implications of expenditure policies on the education and youth services.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Michael Roberts)My right hon. Friend has not yet received the report, but will publish it when he does.
§ Mr. ThomasWill the Minister confirm that his Department has published a report this week showing that in the fourth and fifth forms in Welsh secondary schools, one-quarter of the children—more in some areas—are absenting themselves? Will he explain what his Department intends to do to alter the curriculum in schools to ensure that those pupils respond to an education system which, at the moment, is clearly de-schooling them.
§ Mr. RobertsThe present truancy problem in Wales is considerable and is causing much concern. We are having talks with local education authorities about the development of the curriculum.