§ 39. Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she is satisfied that the level of truancy among pupils aged 14 to 16 years is falling.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonAt the meeting last year between Education Ministers and representatives of the teachers, the local authorities and other interested bodies it was agreed that my Department should not undertake further national surveys of school absence. There is, therefore, insufficient evidence on a national basis to reach firm conclusions about trends in the rate of unjustified absence. We are, however, aware of encouraging reports of reductions in absence rates from certain local education authorities.