HC Deb 22 November 1983 vol 49 cc151-2
5. Mr. Silvester

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why it is not possible to implement the appointment of school governors by 1 September 1984.

Mr. Dunn

As I said in my reply to my hon. Friend's question on 4 November, the Government have been clear from the outset that the reconstitution of all schools' governmental arrangements under the Education Act 1980 would take some time to accomplish. Given the substantial task of administration, recruitment and training, good progress has been made with implementation to date. It would be unrealistic, though, to aim for completion by September 1984.

Mr. Silvester

Why is it that the Government expect the privatisation of British Telecom within two years, or can mount an invasion of the Falklands within a few months, yet take five years to appoint a few school governors? As parental influence is at the heart of the Government's economic policy, does this not represent a surrender to the administrative convenience of the officers of his Department?

Mr. Dunn

I share my hon. Friend's concern about the abuses that occur in some local authorities. However, there is nothing to stop a local education authority requiring the creation of new governing bodies well before September 1985. The House should not underestimate the size of the task.

Mr. Eastham

Is not the Minister underrating the problems of large cities? Although it may be practical for four schools in a small village to have the same governors, in a city such as Manchester, which has 250 schools, the task would require a great deal of administration and could cost up to £40,000 a year. Will the Minister repay that money, or does he expect the ratepayers to find it?

Mr. Dunn

No hon. Member can accept the provision of one governing body for a wide range of schools. The practice in Manchester can be suffered for only so long, but then the authority must take action under the requirements laid down by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

Mr. Greenway

Will my hon. Friend confirm the great value of having parent governors on school boards, and will he go flat out to ensure that they are appointed to school governing bodies as soon as possible and in advance of the date mentioned?

Mr. Dunn

I have explained that there is nothing to stop a local education authority from embarking upon that course. From my experience I know that parent governors have a vital, positive and determined role to play in the running of a school.