HL Deb 14 November 1990 vol 523 cc332-3

2.55 p.m.

Baroness Blackstone asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they approve of political parties gaining access to school admissions registers.

Lord Cavendish of Furness

My Lords, school admission registers in maintained schools are not public documents and the regulations governing the compilation and use of school records provide that they may only be used for educational purposes.

The regulations do not apply to independent schools but records held by these schools are subject to the ordinary law. They are the sole responsibility of each school and proprietors are under no obligation to divulge the information they hold to any third party.

Baroness Blackstone

My Lords, I am interested in the Answer given by the noble Lord speaking for the Government. However, does he approve of school admission registers in independent schools being used for party political purposes? That is the nature of my Question and I have not received a reply.

Lord Cavendish of Furness

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that additional question. The Government's attitude is enshrined in law and regulations. My department's responsibility must be confined to ensuring that no records are divulged to unauthorised people.

Lord Peston

My Lords, I am still at a loss. This is a straightforward Question in which the word "approve" appears. Are we not entitled to an answer? Does the noble Lord disapprove of this activity? There is no doubt that it took place. Will he not at least tell your Lordships that he disapproves of it? That is the important part of the Question.

Lord Cavendish of Furness

No, my Lords. I am not here to talk about approval or disapproval. Our attitude is enshrined in law and regulations and I made that clear in my opening Answer.

Lord Peston

My Lords, as a minimum, therefore, I assume the noble Lord will say that he approves of people obeying the law. Will he at least say that?

Lord Cavendish of Furness

My Lords, indeed I do.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that there is an increasing tendency on the Government Front Bench for Questions to be avoided rather than answered? Will the noble Lord endeavour to avoid that tendency in future?

Lord Cavendish of Furness

My Lords, I am not aware of that.

Baroness David

My Lords, is the Minister aware that the latest advice from the Government goes right back to 1956? I refer to the Administrative Memorandum 531, School Registers and Records. As that memorandum was sent out so long ago perhaps the Government will consider updating the advice. At the moment if companies can get hold of these registers they can be extremely useful. Schools have to raise additional income. Companies would find it useful to put out mail shots to parents. Will the Government consider updating that old regulation?

Lord Cavendish of Furness

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that suggestion. I am not entirely clear on the present position. I believe that updating is in hand at the moment, but I shall be pleased to write to the noble Baroness in that connection.

Baroness Blackstone

My Lords, will the Minister at least agree that some parents find it distasteful for their names to be given and used for propaganda purposes on a party political basis? Surely the Minister must agree that that can upset many parents and that the practice should therefore stop in independent schools as well as maintained schools.

Lord Cavendish of Furness

My Lords, some parents could be upset and I believe that the law and other provisions protect them from that.

The Earl of Halsbury

My Lords, we have spent 20 minutes on Questions and there is still one question to be taken. Are we not dragging our feet?