§ 23. Mr. Nicholas Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has received any further representations about his draft circular on politics in schools.
§ Sir Keith JosephThirty-five letters have been received in response to the draft circular and statement of principles issued on 4 February. Substantive replies are still awaited from seven of the organisations directly consulted.
§ 56. Mr. Keyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many complaints he has received in the last 12 months about the improper political use of schools; how many such complaints have had sufficient detail to be investigated; and whether he is prepared to investigate such complaints confidentially.
§ Mr. Chris PattenIn the last 12 months about 70 letters expressing concern about the treatment of politically controversial issues have been received in the Department. Of these, 12 contained sufficient detail for further inquiries to have been made. My right hon. Friend is certainly willing to have complaints investigated if they contain specific details of the incidents concerned, including the name of the school, the date and as much other information as possible; if requested, the name of the person complaining will certainly be kept confidential.