HC Deb 26 July 1979 vol 971 cc365-6W
Mr. Robert Atkins

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the terms of reference and membership of the commitee of inquiry into the education of children from ethnic minority groups have yet been decided.

Mr. Mark Carlisle

I have considered the comments which were submitted by interested organisations on the proposed terms of reference for this committee and have decided that the final terms of reference will be as followsRecognising the contribution of schools in preparing all pupils for life in a society which is both multi-racial and culturally diverse, the committee is required to: review in relation to schools the educational needs and attainments of children from ethnic minority groups taking account, as necessary, of factors outside the formal education system relevant to school performance, including influences in early childhood and prospects for school leavers; consider the potential value of instituting arrangements for keeping under review the educational performance of different ethnic minority groups, and what those arrangements might be; consider the most effective use of resources for these purposes; and to make recommendations.

In carrying out its programme of work, the committee is to give early and particular attention to the educational needs and attainments of pupils of West Indian origin and to make interim recommendations as soon as possible on action which might be taken in the interests of this group.

The membership of the committee will be:

  • Chairman: Mr. A. Rampton—Chairman, Freemans Mail Order Company, Trustee of the Runnymede Trust.
  • Mr. J. P. Athisayam—Councillor, London Borough of Camden, Behavioural Scientist.
  • Mr. T. Carter—Head of Commerce Department, Brooke House School, London.
  • Mrs. L. Chapman—Head, Eastwood Infants' School, Keighley.
  • Ms. Y. Collymore—Freelance writer, Executive Secretary Caribbean Communications Project.
  • Mrs. A. Dummett—Research worker, Joint Council for Welfare of Immigrants.
  • Mr. C. G. Duncan—Deputy Head, Sidney Stringer School and Community College, Coventry.
  • Mr. B. Evans—Head, Tulse Hill School, London.
  • Mr. M. Feeley—Adviser for Multicultural Education, Coventry LEA.
  • Mrs. S. Flather—Councillor, Windsor and Maidenhead, involved in community relations.
  • Professor E. Hawkins—Recently retired, formerly Director of Language Teaching Centre, University of York.
  • Father M. Hollings—Parish priest, Notting Hill.
  • Mrs. D. McAuslan—Health Visitor, Coventry. Mr. P. K. C. Millins—Until recently Director of Edge Hill College of Higher Education. Ormskirk, Lancs.
  • Mr. P. A. Newsam—Education Officer, ILEA.
  • Mr. R. Pal—Managing Director of CTS Ltd.
  • Dr. B. Parekh—Senior Lecturer, Department of Political Studies, University of Hull.
  • Mr. J. Phillips—Chairman, Distributive Industry Training Board.
  • Mr. E. J. B. Rose—Chairman, Penguin Publishing Company.
  • Mr. A. J. B. Rowe—Consultant to the Conservative Party, until recently Director of Community Affairs Department, Conservative Central Office.
  • Mrs. Y. Sheikh—Peripatetic teacher of English as a Second Language, Croydon.
  • Mr. B. L. Baish—Department of Education and Science (Assessor).
  • Mr. E. J. Bolton—Her Majesty's Inspectorate (Assessor).
  • Secretary: Mr. R. P. Norton—Department of Education and Science.

A few further appointments may be made shortly.