§ Mr. StottTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received regarding the implementation of the Government's education reforms; and what plans he has to meet representatives of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools.
§ Mr. HanleyI have received a large number of written representations on a wide range of topics related to the education reforms from a variety of sources: boards of governors, teachers, principals, teachers' unions and parents. These have been mainly concerned about the pressures created by the implementation of curriculum and assessment changes and I have taken measures, where necessary, to ease these pressures. I have also met a number of groups on reforms-related matters.
I will be meeting the CCMS in the near future, and as part of the present wide consultation about aspects of implementation I will study carefully any representations which the council or any educational interests wish to make.