§ 9 and 10. Mr. Lubbockasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what proportion of school-age children of gipsy families, within the definition of the Caravan Sites Act, 1968 is not attending school; and whether he will take steps to ensure that these children obtain education;
(2) what attention and action has been applied to the educational needs of gipsy children, as recommended in Appendix 12 of the Plowden Report; and what is his budget for these items in the year 1969–70.
Mr. ShortA survey carried out in 1965 estimated that less than 10 per cent. of gipsy children of school age were attending school. It is for local education authorities to ensure that appropriate education is available for all children and my Department gave advice to them about the educational needs of gipsy children in June, 1966 through a circular issued by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government before the publication of the Plowden Report.
§ Mr. Lubbockasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further research he has sponsored into the educational problems of gipsy families since the Plowden Report was published.
Mr. ShortI have not sponsored any such research but my Department have276W invited the Gipsy Council to submit for consideration a memorandum on research into the educational needs of gipsy children.