HC Deb 05 July 1983 vol 45 cc139-40
3. Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to publish the report of Her Majesty's inspectors of schools on the effects of public expenditure policies in 1982.

The Secretary of State for Education and Science (Sir Keith Joseph)

Her Majesty's inspectorate has almost completed this report. I hope to publish it later this month.

Mr. Dobson

As the report is now four months late, will the Secretary of State tell the House what he and Her Majesty's inspectorate would say about a school that issued its end-of-term reports four months late?

Sir Keith Joseph

There cannot be lateness in connection with the report. The date depends on the drafting by the senior chief inspector. It is no production of mine. It is a production of the senior chief inspector. I have told the House that it will be published as soon as it reaches me.

Mr. Wilkinson

Does my right hon. Friend agree that, in the compilation of their report, Her Majesty's inspectors should look much more closely at the quality of the teaching and the standards set by the teaching staff than at anything else? It is not a function of public expenditure, but much more a criterion set by the Government in admission standards required for would-be teachers at teacher training colleges.

Sir Keith Joseph

I am sure that HMI has that very much in mind. We must remember that this annual report is on the effects of local education authority expenditure policies. It is not a report on standards, though necessarily provision and the use of provision has an effect upon standards.

Mr. Janner

When the right hon. Gentleman considers public expenditure matters, will he bear in mind the enormous difficulties created for existing schools and expanding areas such as new towns — for example, Beaumont Leys in my constituency, where the Babbington community college desperately needs to expand? Because there is no central money for it, the local authority has been unable to do its job. Will the right hon. Gentleman give particular consideration to such special cases?

Sir Keith Joseph

The hon. and learned Gentleman is being ingenious. That point does not arise from this question.