§ Mr. Ronald Brownasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the purpose of her recent visit to the Laburnum Junior Mixed School; and if she will list the particular functions which she examined, such as classrooms, library, kitchen, and storeroom.
§ Mrs. ThatcherThe purpose of this visit was to see the initial teaching alphabet in use in a school with considerable experience of it.
§ Mr. Ronald Brownasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why she did not inform the hon. Member for Shoreditch and Finsbury in advance of her intention to visit the Laburnum Junior Mixed School.
§ Mrs. ThatcherIt is my practice to inform hon. Members in advance of my intention to visit schools in their constituencies. I regret that in this instance the hon. Gentleman was not so informed owing to a misunderstanding about the boundary of his constituency which runs very close to the Laburnum Junior Mixed School. The hon. Member for the adjoining area was informed in the belief that the school was in bis constituency.
§ Mr. Ronald Brownasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why 531W the vice-chairman and managers of Laburnum Junior Mixed School were not informed of her recent visit; and what her policy is in regard to issuing notification of forthcoming visits by herself to schools.
§ Mrs. ThatcherMy visits to maintained schools are arranged with the local education authority and the head teacher concerned and it is for them to inform the managers and governors of schools if they wish.