HL Deb 29 January 1969 vol 298 cc1167-8
LORD BEAUMONT OF WHITLEY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they propose to issue a Green Paper on Education preparatory to drafting a new Bill.]

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, it is the Government's intention, in connection with the current preparations for a new Education Bill, to offer opportunities for all concerned to make known their views about desirable changes in the present law. I am grateful for the noble Lord's suggestion, which the Government will bear in mind in considering how best this intention can be effected.

LORD BEAUMONT OF WHITLEY

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness for her very satisfactory reply. May I also ask whether the Government will particularly take notice of the necessity to seek the opinions and advice of the parents, who do not always have the kind of institution which it is easy to approach officially.

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord. I have taken note of his point and will refer it to my right honourable friend. There are 38 various bodies that are being consulted, but I take his point that there well may not be an appropriate national body to meet the need.