HC Deb 26 February 1998 vol 307 cc492-3
18. Mrs. Humble

What measures he is taking to reduce the rate of non—attendance at school. [29896]

Mr. Byers

We are providing direct, practical help by supporting locally devised projects in 119 local education authorities at a total value of £22 million in 1998–99. We have also consulted widely on detailed new guidance for schools on attendance issues and will be issuing the final version of this shortly.

Mrs. Humble

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer and for the £0.5 million that the two education authorities in my area will receive. Does my hon. Friend agree that projects such as those being developed by Lancashire and the new unitary authority of Blackpool, which involve both parents directly in schemes to combat non-attendance and other agencies, are vital as part of a partnership and a shared approach to deal with this difficult problem?

Mr. Byers

I am delighted that the Government have been able to provide an extra £0.5 million to local education authorities in my hon. Friend's area. It is a clear demonstration that the Government take non-attendance seriously. We believe that children who do not attend school not only lose out on valuable education but drift into crime and anti-social behaviour. That needs to stop and we are now putting measures in place to ensure that it does.

Mr. Bercow

Is the Minister aware of the proportion of cases of truancy in which the parents are unaware of what is happening? It seems essential that, if the problem is to be tackled, we discover at what stage the parents become aware of the activities of their children.

Mr. Byers

For the first time since 1 May, I am going to agree with the hon. Gentleman. He is right. Proper education works well when the school and the parents stand shoulder to shoulder with the pupil. The hon. Gentleman makes an important point, but, looking at the empty expanse of green Benches opposite, I think that we need to have a non-attendance programme for Conservative Members of Parliament. The hon. Gentleman is one of only 17 who have sat through all of Education and Employment questions this afternoon.