HL Deb 24 January 1985 vol 459 cc381-2

3.13 p.m.

Lord Taylor of Blackburn

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

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect the report of the Committee of Inquiry into the education of children from ethnic minority groups, under the chairmanship of Lord Swann, to be published.

The Earl of Swinton

My Lords, I understand that the committee held its final meeting last week and intends to submit its report to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science after some final editorial work.

Lord Taylor of Blackburn

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. May I ask him to do everything that he possibly can to expediate—

Noble Lords

Oh!

Lord Taylor of Blackburn

Exactly, my Lords, "expediate" it—and to get the report out as quickly as possible, because there are so many local authorities waiting to know exactly where we go?

The Earl of Swinton

My Lords, as the spokesman for the Department of Education I think I ought to tell the noble Lord that the word is "expedite". I understand that there is a substantial amount of editorial work yet to be done to the full text, so it is unlikely to be delivered to my right honourable friend before the middle of next month.

Baroness Faithfull

My Lords, as a member of the Swann Committee, may I ask my noble friend the Minister whether he does not agree that this unique national committee has needed time to produce a report with a fair consensus of opinion in view of the fact that, of the 20 members, 10 have their origins in the Indian sub-continent, the West Indies, Africa and China, and 10 have their origins in this country? All are British. Furthermore, does he not agree that the wide spectrum of education has needed to be covered?

The Earl of Swinton

Yes, my Lords, I agree with my noble friend Lady Faithfull, and the Government recognise that the education of ethnic minority children raises difficult and sensitive issues. Therefore, it is not surprising that the committee should wish to deliberate on them at some length.

Lord Avebury

My Lords, can the Minister say whether the Swann Committee was able to consider the effect of racial harassment and intimidation on the academic achievement of children living on housing estates such as those in Tower Hamlets described in a recent television programme? If not, can he say whether the Government will institute inquiries into this matter on an urgent basis?

The Earl of Swinton

My Lords, I think we must wait for the outcome of the report to see what it includes.

Lord Beloff

My Lords, can the Minister assure the House that "editorial" will mean what it usually means and that it will not be a matter of toning down the report in order to spare the susceptibilities of certain pressure groups in this area?

The Earl of Swinton

My Lords, I think editorial means editorial.

Lord Kilmarnock

My Lords, can the noble Earl give the figure for the number of children in English schools for whom English is a second language? Is the noble Earl satisfied that provision in this respect is adequate?

The Earl of Swinton

My Lords, again, I think we shall have to wait to see what the report has in it.

Lord Hatch of Lusby

My Lords, has the noble Earl had his attention drawn to the somewhat shocking report on the education of Chinese children, who, I believe, are the third largest ethnic minority in this country? If he says that the committee had its last meeting last week, did that committee have the opportunity to study this report in view of the revelations in it on the disabilities under which Chinese children are now suffering.

The Earl of Swinton

My Lords, the committee has been sitting for some five years, so I think it has had ample opportunity to look into all sorts of things.