§ Ms. Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what steps he is taking to introduce training for physical education teachersin schools for instructing girls in self-defence;
(2) what steps he is taking to introduce self-defence education, as part of physical education, for girls in schools.
§ Mr. Chris PattenIt is for each local education authority to consider the in-service training needs of its teachers in the context of curricular policies and objectives. While the White Paper "Better Schools" published in March 1985 (Cmnd. 9469) makes clear the Government's view that physical education is an important component of the curriculum for all children in secondary schools, decisions about the detailed content of what is taught, such as whether it includes instruction in physical skills which can be used in self-defence, are properly matters for the schools themselves and the local education authorities by which they are maintained.