§ Mr. Cormackasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans she has to provide for the continued inspection, registration and recognition of independent schools.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsAs part of the reductions in Civil Service manpower which have already been announced my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I intend to discontinue next April the present arrangements for the recognition of certain independent schools as efficient. I have discussed this with representatives of the Independent Schools Joint Committee. They regret the decision but would welcome consultation with my Department and the Welsh Office with a view to devising a workable system of inspection for recognition to be operated by the associations represented on the committee. Her Majesty's inspectors of schools will no longer themselves undertake inspections of schools for recognition but will be available to advise the committee on the setting up of their own system and the arrangements and procedures for its operation. This is one of a number of aspects of the matter that our Departments will be discussing with the committee, and a further statement will be 255W made in due course. There will be no changes in the requirements for the inspection and registration of all independent schools under Part III of the Education Act 1944.