§ 19. Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will bring forward legislation to provide a right for a parent to withdraw his child from sex education at a school if in the parent's opinion the instruction offered is immoral.
§ Mr. Mark CarlisleNo. My Department has already issued advice that head teachers should take parents into their confidence and take account of parents' wishes in this area of the curriculum; and that the subject should be treated as 163W an integral element of personal, social and health education within the context of lasting personal relationships. I share the concern expressed by many parents; but I do not believe that the answer lies in further legislation.