§ 1. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the regulations governing the opening of a school by a private individual.
§ The Secretary of State for Education and Science (Sir Keith Joseph)Under part III of the Education Act 1944, all independent schools have to be registered initially on a provisional basis. This is precluded only if the proprietor or premises have previously been disqualified under the Act. In applying for registration, proprietors have to conform to the requirements of the Education (Particulars of Independent Schools) Regulations 1982.
§ Mr. McNair-WilsonI am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that answer. Does he agree that there are wide disparities between the qualifications of staff and the facilities available at private schools, although they are not always recognised by parents? Is there not a strong case for the reintroduction of the efficiency classification scheme that existed until April 1978?
§ Sir Keith JosephI agree with the first part of my hon. Friend's question. I am not prepared to extend public sector manpower to carry out a service that some of the independent schools are conducting by their own accreditation scheme.
§ Mr. NealeWill my right hon. Friend consider revoking the circular issued in 1978 by the right hon. Member for Crosby (Mrs. Williams) and permitting educational nursery schools to register as efficient, thereby removing them from the effects of the Nurseries and Child-Minders Regulation Act 1948?
§ Sir Keith JosephThat is a slightly different question, I shall study the issue and write to my hon. Friend.