§ 14. Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations he has received on the question of local management of schools budgets within the last four weeks.
§ Mr. ForthThe Department has received a number of representations within the past four weeks concerning the local management of schools.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursIs not the real reason why the Government are so insensitive to the funding crisis m state schools that the great majority of Conservative Members send their children to private schools—public schools—and find their way around the difficulties that exist in the public sector? What do I say to governors in my constituency who are now resigning on the basis that they cannot manage with the scarce resources being allocated by the Government? What do we say in reply?
§ Mr. ForthIt ill becomes the hon. Gentleman to make such a tired and inaccurate accusation. I remind him and the House that my own children, those of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and those of the Minister of State all went to the state system. To suggest that in some way we have no understanding of the needs or the strengths of the state system is irresponsible and wrong and ill becomes the hon. Gentleman.
The hon. Gentleman made the accusation that governors all over the place were resigning. Many governors have seen their first term of office come to an end and have decided to step down to make way for others. We are confident that many more people will come forward to take up the responsibility and the challenge of being school governors and to take advantage of the new powers that we have given them. I welcome that.