§ Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the statement of the Director of Education of a northern education authority that a daily absentee rate of 14,600 from 513W a total school population of 170,000 was not startling, what are the equivalent national figures; and what action is being taken to reduce truancy.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonMy Department does not collect national absence statistics on a regular basis, but a one-day survey of all maintained middle and secondary schools in England and Wales in January 1974 showed that a total of 9.9 per cent. of all pupils were absent, including 2.2 per cent. who had no known legitimate reason.
The then Secretary of State and I met representatives of the teachers, the local authorities and other interested bodies last year to talk about truancy and disruptive behaviour in schools. As was proposed at that meeting, Her Majesty's inspectors have been carrying out surveys during this school year of the special units which most areas now have for truants and disruptive pupils, and of a sample of schools which seem to be particularly successful in dealing with truancy. I hope that these surveys will lead to some practical guidance being made available to schools and local authorities.
Furthermore, the current Criminal Law Bill proposes that the maximum fine on parents for non-attendance of their children should be raised, and the Secretary of State and I will shortly be meeting the Magistrates' Association to hear its views on the question of enforcement of school attendance.