§ Lorna FitzsimonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what proportion of(a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools and (c) colleges of further education have procedures in place to record racist incidents; [111291]
(2) what was the total number of racist incidents recorded during the period 15 April 1999 to 31 December 1999 in England in (a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools and (c) colleges of further education. [111292]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 22 February 2000]Our "Social Inclusion: Pupil Support" guidance in July 1999 states that all schools' behaviour policies must make clear that racial harassment will not be tolerated, and say how staff and pupils should deal with it. Schools should record all racial incidents and parents and Governors should be informed of such incidents and the action taken to deal with them. Governing bodies should inform LEAs annually of the pattern and frequency of any incidents. Colleges of Further Education have policies in place to deal with complaints, and procedures to investigate incidents. Information on the total number of racist incidents recorded in schools and colleges in England during the period 15 April 1999 to 31 December 1999 is not held centrally.