HC Deb 14 March 1978 vol 946 cc125-6W
26. Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how she proposes to raise the general standard of careers guidance in schools.

Miss Margaret Jackson

By a variety of means. Her Majesty's inspectors, both in their visits to schools—often jointly with careers service inspectors—and in short courses, continue to encourage the development of effective careers education, while the fourfold increase in in-service courses for teachers envisaged in the Government's expenditure plans will provide many more opportunities for training in careers work. My Department is also sponsoring a number of research projects which are expected to contribute to developments in this field, and, finally, we have asked local education authorities to report on the ways in which they are facilitating careers education and guidance, in their replies to my Department's Circular 14/77 on curricular arrangements. My right hon. Friend will be reviewing the need for further departmental action in the light of responses to this circular.