HL Deb 22 November 1983 vol 445 cc114-5

2.53 p.m.

Lord Taylor of Blackburn

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

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps are being taken to encourage local education authorities and governing bodies to allow students to attend governors' meetings as observers.

The Earl of Swinton

My Lords, the attendance of observers is a matter for individual governing bodies. The Government see no need to press the case of any particular category of person.

Lord Taylor of Blackburn

My Lords, is the Minister aware that these days a greater number of students and young people are more articulate and inquisitive than ever before, and that they are anxious to take part in the meetings of governing bodies?

The Earl of Swinton

My Lords, the noble Lord referred to students. In further education, there are students on the governing bodies of polytechnics and the majority of other establishments. So far as the younger students, pupils, are concerned, there are opportunities outside the governing body for the student-pupil voice to be heard in committees and elsewhere. In many secondary schools, for example, there is a school council.

Lord Hatch of Lusby

My Lords, is the Minister aware that in certain schools, one of them in north London—a large comprehensive school, of which I had the privilege to be chairman of the governors for some years—it has been found that the inclusion of pupils as observers at the governors' meetings is not only useful to the pupils as an exercise in democracy but is also of great value to the governors themselves? While no one is asking the Government to lay down any laws, can the Government not be a little more forthcoming in encouraging this development among pupils in schools as distinct from further education institutions and suchlike?

The Earl of Swinton

My Lords, I think the very fact that there were students who came to hear the noble Lord, Lord Hatch, as chairman of the governors of the school means that any school in the country could do likewise.

Lord Beloff

My Lords, would the Minister not agree that much educational opinion holds that it is the business of governors to govern and of students to study?