§ Mr. Ryderasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy towards action by local education authorities to combat racial prejudice.
§ Sir Keith JosephThe Government deplore any occurrence of racial prejudice in schools and are committed to the principle that all children, irrespective of race or colour, should have equal access to a good education. It would not be justifiable in the name of that principle, however, to abrogate the proper legal responsibilites of head teachers and governors for the conduct, curriculum and internal organisation of their schools. I have seen, for example, ILEA's recent document "Delivery of the Authority's Initiative on Multiethnic Education in Schools". The position of head teachers and governors would certainly be undermined if the intention of this document were to coerce rather than to advise and persuade.