§ Mr. Silvesterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why he considers it necessary for two more years to elapse before local education authorities are required to appoint school governors; and how he calculates the costs likely to be incurred.
§ Mr. DunnThe Government have accepted from the outset that the school government provisions of the Education Act 1980, to which my hon. Friend refers, would take some time to implement as they represent a substantial task of administration, recruitment and training. The Government's best estimate, on the Bill's introduction, of the additional costs involved here was up to £5 million per annum. Good progress has been made with implementation on the voluntary basis encouraged in circular 4/81. Consultations are being held on the proposal to require this to be completed by 1 September 1985 and an announcement will be made shortly.