§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he has adopted to limit truancy in the primary and secondary schools in Wales.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsTruancy is a serious matter. It undermines the educational process and contributes to the juvenile crime rate. Since August this year, maintained schools are required to publish their rates of unauthorised absence. This will enable us to establish the full extent of the problem and to consider what action the Department needs to take.