§ Mr. Batesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate of the number of gipsy children of school age; what proportion of them are receiving full time education; and how this compares with the national average.
§ Mr. ArmstrongMy right hon. Friend has made no estimate of the number of gipsy children of school age—though he is aware of the estimates that have been made from time to time by others—and statistics of pupils in full-time education do not distinguish gipsies.
§ Mr. Batesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied with the extent of educational provision for gipsies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ArmstrongMy right hon. Friend believes that the kinds of provision being made are appropriate to the needs of gipsies but he acknowledges that much remains to be done in order to ensure that all gipsy children of school age receive
430Wto the totals for each month at each individual institution.
§ Mr. Hugh JenkinsThe attendances reported by the national museums and galleries were as follows:
efficient full-time education. He hopes that the parents will increasingly avail themselves of the facilities available.
§ Mr. Batesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether any local education authorities have submitted to him arrangements which they propose for the education of gipsies which require his approval or assistance; and what action he has taken.
§ Mr. ArmstrongMy right hon. Friend has received no such proposals, but local education authorities have from time to time sought financial assistance for the education of gipsies from the Home Department through the urban programme and such assistance has frequently been granted.
§ Mr. Batesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what special information he collects from local education authorities about their provision of education for gipsies.
§ Mr. ArmstrongNone; but Her Majesty's inspectors and officers of the Department are in constant touch with local education authorities.
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§ Mr. Batesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what official inquiries have been held since 1944 into the effectiveness of educational provision for gipsies; and whether he will initiate such an inquiry.
§ Mr. ArmstrongThe Central Advisory Council for Education included an appendix on the subject in its 1967 report, "Children and their Primary Schools". In 1971 the Schools Council for Curriculum and Examinations established a project on the education of travelling children. It is hoped that the report of the project—which will include a review of existing educational provision—will be published later this year in the Schools Council's Research Studies series. My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to set up a further inquiry.