§ 8. Miss Maynardasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science on what considerations he based his decision to close the Centre for Information and Advice on Educational Disadvantage.
§ Mr. Mark CarlisleThe centre is an independent body relying on Government funds, and in our review of such bodies we looked for clear justification for continuing financial support. In my view, the foundation of the centre raised expectations which, in retrospect, a body with relatively limited resources was unlikely to fulfil.
The centre has made only a very modest impact on the education service and I therefore decided that continued grant aid could not be justified.
§ 21. Mr. Kaufmanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when last he visited the Centre for Information and Advice on Educational Disadvantage.
§ Mr. Mark CarlisleI have not visited the centre's offices in Manchester. I met representatives of the centre's governing body on 5 December.
§ 23. Mr. Wellbelovedasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy regarding work to combat educational disadvantage.
§ Mr. Mark CarlisleI attach considerable importance to work to combat educational disadvantage. I believe local authorities and other bodies recognise that there is much to be done in this field and, at national level, the Government will continue to be closely involved through the work of Her Majesty's Inspectorate and of the educational disadvantage unit in my Department.