§ Mr. McNultyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to introduce home-school partnership agreements; what plans he has to promote a wider role for parent governors and parent representatives; what role the local authority will have in these developments; and if he will make a statement. [5355]
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§ Ms Estelle MorrisOur Manifesto promised that we would increase the powers and responsibilities of parents. We are committed to having more parent governors and to parent representatives on LEAs. A major objective is to promote a culture of responsibility for learning within the family, through contracts between all schools and parents, defining the responsibilities of each. LEAs will have a major part to play in raising standards. We will announce our proposals in a White Paper very soon and initiate widespread consultation.