HL Deb 21 May 1981 vol 420 cc1049-50WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will list the recommendations of the Astin Committee on the Management of Schools in Northern Ireland that have so far been implemented; and what their intentions are concerning the remaining recommendations.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Elton)

None of the recommendations of the Astin Report has yet been implemented, though some of them relate to management practices which already exist in some schools in Northern Ireland, or to a continuation of existing administrative arrangements which have been working well. However, the Government have accepted most of the Astin recommendations in principle. Consultations with major interests about the changes which will be necessary in school management arrangements are proceeding and it is intended to publish a proposal for a draft Order-in-Council as soon as practicable after their completion. A fuller account of the Government's position was given in announcements which I made on 18th March and 7th April, copies of which have been placed in the Library.