§ Dr. GlynTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, when he receives the report from the Berkshire education committee on the deaths of four boys from Altwood school, Maidenhead, he will make it his policy to draw up guidelines defining the responsibilities at all times of teachers or those in charge of authorised school trips, both at home and abroad.
§ Mrs. RumboldMy Department expects shortly to receive a preliminary report on the accident from the Berkshire LEA and this will receive very careful consideration.
Guidance from the Department on safety aspects of school visits is provided in the booklet "Safety in Outdoor Pursuits". A revised version of this is in preparation and any lessons emerging from the tragedy in Austria will be taken into account in this.
The responsibilities for safety matters, both statutory and common law, of local authorities, schools and teachers were re-emphasised in a document the Department circulated last year on first aid.