§ 26. Mr.Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps she is taking to reduce the level of truancy in schools.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonThe then Secretary of State and I met representatives of the teachers, the local authorities and other interested bodies last year to discuss this. Her Majesty's inspectors have since undertaken surveys of special units for truants and disruptive pupils, and also of a sample of schools which seem to be particularly successful at dealing with truancy. I hope that these surveys will lead to some practical guidance for132W schools and local authorities. Most recently, the Secretary of State and I had a useful meeting with the magistrates and the local authorities last week to discuss the law on school attendance.