§ Sir Gerard VaughanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will empower the governing bodies of schools as well as local education authorities to initiate prosecutions in cases of truancy.
§ Mr. FallonMy right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to do so. Truancy needs to be tackled vigorously. Local education authorities have the power to prosecute the parents of truants, and it is important that they should use that power in appropriate cases.