§ 55. Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on progress made on the implementation of the recommendations of the Swann report.
§ Mr. Chris PattenAction is continuing on the various initiatives described by my right hon. Friend in his response to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. Dykes) on 17 July 1985 at columns162–64, and in my response to a question from the hon. Member for Battersea (Mr. Dubs) on 18 November 1985 at columns 1–3. In particular, the working group on the collection of ethnically based statistics on teachers held its first meeting in February. The report of the working group on the collection of ethnically based statistics on school pupils is now being finalised. Regulations governing the in-service teacher training grants scheme have been amended to allow its extension from September 1986 to cover teaching and the curriculum in a multi-ethnic society. A conference has been held for representatives of the teacher training institutions to discuss the form the new 112W courses might take. Her Majesty's Inspectorate is holding a conference on 5 and 6 March—to be attended by chief education officers and others—on the implications of the Swann report for local education authorities with few, if any, ethnic minority pupils. An Education Bill was introduced in another place on 19 February which will give parents, including those from the ethnic minorities, greater involvement in schools. Parental representation on governing bodies will be increased and there will be a new category of governor, normally co-opted by the governing body, with the aim of strengthening links with the community served by the school. Governing bodies are also to be made more accountable to all parents through an annual report and meeting.