HC Deb 13 May 1985 vol 79 cc52-3W
Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has about the present arrangements for specific education about the dangers of hard drugs in primary and secondary schools, colleges of further education, polytechnics and universities; what specific allocation of central funds is made for this purpose; and how this compares with the provision in 1980.

Sir Keith Joseph

I receive advice on present arrangements from Her Majesty's Inspectorate based on its observations, and expect to obtain comprehensive information by the end of the year through a project funded by the Department and being undertaken through the education management information exchange. There was no specific allocation of funds in 1980 and action is primarily a matter for local authorities and institutions.

The Department has, however, recently commissioned, at a cost of £86,000, the development of suitable new teaching materials, mainly for use in schools and colleges, and has in preparation a booklet containing advice and information for use by teachers and others in the education service. I am currently considering with the local authorities how best to encourage further action.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are the present arrangements for information on the dangers of hard drugs to be given to trainee teachers and for in-service training for qualified teachers; what specific allocation of central funds is made for this purpose; and how this compares with the provision in 1980.

Mr. Dunn

Responsibility for making information available to intending teachers about drug misuse and for providing training for serving teachers on the subject rests mainly with teacher training institutions and local education authorities respectively. Regional courses concerned with drug misuse and arranged in consultation with the Department will be eligible for central funding under the Department's programme for supporting regional in-service training courses. In 1985–86 some £350,000 will be available for the regional course programme as a whole.

The Department is also funding a range of research and development work intended to enhance teachers' awareness of the dangers of drug misuse and to offer them appropriate guidance. In particular my right hon. Friend announced on 27 February his intention to issue a booklet to teachers on the problems of drug misuse and his approval for a project by the Health Education Council for the preparation of suitable curriculum material for use by both teachers and teacher traineers. There was no specific allocation of central funds for work in this field in 1980.