§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to disband the Schools Council and establish separate bodies, one for examinations and one for the curriculum, in its place; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonMy right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Education and Science and for Wales hope to establish an examinations council early in 1983. Discussions are continuing with the local authority associations on the proposed school curriculum development council with a view to its establishment later in 1983. It is envisaged that funding will be withdrawn from the Schools Council as the new bodies are established.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will ensure that continuing support will be available for the projects currently being carried out by the Schools Council after it has been disbanded; and if he will estimate the cost of such support.
§ Dr. BoysonThe Department is currently discussing with the local authority associations the position of those elements in the work of the present Schools Council to which there is a contractual commitment continuing after March 1983; no decisions on the future of this work have yet been taken. Excluding all central administative costs, to continue this work to the end of the current contractual commitments would cost some £700,000 in 1983–84, £400,000 in 1984–85 and £300,000 in 1985–86.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consultations he is having, or plans to hold, concerning the membership of the two separate bodies that he is proposing should replace the Schools Council.
§ Dr. BoysonMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science and I have discussed with the local authority associations the balance of membership appropriate to the two proposed new bodies; they have been invited to put forward names for membership of the examinations council, and of the school curriculum development council, which they will fund jointly with 121W central government. The Department will write shortly to teachers' and some other organisations which currently nominate members to the Schools Council committees, inviting suggestions for membership of both bodies.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has had, and from whom, disagreeing with his decision to disband the Schools Council; and if he will reconsider this decision.
§ Dr. BoysonMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science has received some 140 representations against the proposal that the Schools Council be replaced by an examinations council and a school curriculum development body. These have come from teachers' and other organisations, local education authorities, national examination boards, Members of Parliament and individuals. Details of the implementation of the proposal are the subject of discussion with the local authority associations.