HC Deb 11 November 1988 vol 140 cc671-2

Lords amendment, No. 10, in page 7, line 42, after "(a)" insert as often as appears to them to be necessary but, in any event—

  1. (i) not more than 12 months after their establishment, and
  2. (ii) at intervals of not more than 12 months after the first such report,
make a"

Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.—[Mr. Maclean.]

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Harold Walker)

With this we may take Lords amendments Nos. 11 and 12.

1 pm

Mr. Norman Buchan (Paisley, South)

I am curious about the words:

not more than 12 months after their establishment, and … at intervals of not more than 12 months after the first such report". Is it really envisaged that the school board will promote contact by reporting to parents at no shorter intervals than 12 months'? What kind of contact is that? It is almost like the contact that the Tories have with Scotland as a whole —the annual visitation as they float in, are rejected and float out again. I know that the Tories did very badly last night, with only a 7 per cent. vote, but at least they managed to save their deposit, on which they should be congratulated. If they are to leave such a long period between compulsory discussions, it will be a shame if they do not at least learn the lessons of last night, pay sonic attention to the people of Scotland and recognise that they regard the Bill as having been foisted on them by No. 10 and its Scottish minions on the Front Bench.

The Bill is not wanted in Scotland, and one of the reasons is the delay before a full report is given to the people. I hope that we at least will have our report from the Front Bench so that we can make our final decision.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

I think that the hon. Member for Paisley, South (Mr. Buchan) is chancing his arm somewhat in referring to last night's by-election. It must be the first by-election in history in which the protest voters have been against the Opposition rather than the Government. The hon. Gentleman mentioned the figure of 7 per cent.—

Mr. Deputy Speaker

Order. It seems that in this instance yesterday and yesterday creeps in this petty pace from day to day. I hope that hon. Members will stick to today's business.

Mr. Forsyth

Perhaps I could address my remarks to tomorrow. The hon. Gentleman asked why there was provision for reports to be made only every 12 months. If he reads the Bill, he will find that clause 13 provides for parents to demand a meeting at any time. He will also find that boards have a specific duty to promote contact with parents, and to establish parent and parent-teacher associations. The Bill provides for a minimum requirement to report on a regular basis, which we resisted in Committee, but we were pressed by the Opposition to include the provision. We would, however, expect boards to report on a regular basis as part of their wider duties. To help the Opposition in Scotland—and they are certainly in need of help at present—we were prepared to accept an amendment along these lines.

Question put and agreed to.

Lords amendments Nos. 11 to 21 agreed to.

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