§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education on how many occasions he has met Church representatives on matters referred to in the Government White Paper "Choice and Diversity" since its publication; and on what dates.
§ Mr. ForthMy right hon. Friend met the president of the Methodist Conference on 5 November 1992 and the Bishop of Guildford, chairman of the General Synod board of education, on 9 February to discuss the Government's proposals, set out in the White Paper and embodied in the Education Bill currently before Parliament. He is also scheduled to meet the Churches' Joint Education Policy Committee on 8 March. This is in addition to meetings between my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State and representatives of the churches and meetings of the churches with my officials.