HC Deb 09 March 1978 vol 945 cc744-6W
Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations have been received from the Parents' Union about the reorganisation of secondary education; and what steps have been taken to inform them of the evolution of the Government policy and of the progress of consultation.

Mr. Carter

No formal representations have been received from the Parents' Union or the Parents for Comprehensive Education. The only communications received from the union have been copies of a letter sent to a chief officer of one of the education and library boards, and a telegram from the Secretary of the Parents Union, which my noble Friend the Minister of State received on 6th March. In replying to the telegram, my noble Friend said he would welcome the opportunity of meeting members of the union, as he would representatives of any other interested group, to explain the Government's education policy. No request for such a meeting has been received from either parents' group.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his policy regarding the resolutions of the Association of Governing Bodies of Voluntary Grammar Schools in Northern Ireland, published under the title of "The Future of Education in Northern Ireland".

Mr. Carter

These resolutions were submitted to the Department of Education for Northern Ireland by the Association of Governing Bodies of Grammar Schools following the publication of the consultative document on the reorganisation of secondary education. They were carefully considered before the Government's decision to eliminate selection at 11-plus through a restructuring of the educational system was announced on 15th June 1977. The Government were unable to adopt the association's main recommendation, which was to postpone a decision and put in hand yet a further examination of the issue. The reasons for rejecting this recommendation was explained in the statement made by my noble Friend the Minister of State on 15th June 1977: "We are convinced that the uncertainty about the future of secondary education which has existed for many years must be brought to an end."

Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which of the area education and library boards have decided their attitude to the reorganisation of comprehensive education; in what sense; and after consultation with whom.

Mr. Carter

Following the Government statement of 15th June 1977, which was made after intensive consultations based on the 1976 consultative document, the education and library boards were formally invited to undertake the planning of restructuring in their areas. My noble Friend the Minister of State has since had a meeting with the chairman and chief officers of the boards at which they reported that the planning was now under way in all board areas. The planning process will include consultations with local schools.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what discussion he and his Department have had with the Association of Governing Bodies of Voluntary Grammar Schools in Northern Ireland on the proposals for the reorganisation of secondary educa- tion, having regard to the Association's expressed desire to co-operate with Her Majesty's Government in finding ways of improving the education of all children;

(2) what steps he has taken to explain the Government's proposals and philosophy on education to the governing bodies of the voluntary grammar schools and to seek their co-operation.

Mr. Carter

My noble Friend the Minister of State met representatives of the Association of Governing Bodies of Grammar Schools on 28th November 1977 and officials of the Department of Education for Northern Ireland have also had meetings with the association. These meetings have provided the opportunity both for the association to put forward its views and for the Government's proposals to be explained. Arising from these discussions, arrangements have been made for further periodic meetings between the association and officials of the Department. My noble Friend will, of course, continue to be prepared to respond to requests from the association for further meetings with him.