§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the formal requests made by parent-teacher organisations and the schools councils for spokesmen to attend meetings to explain the background to the school management consultation proposals; how many of these requests were met; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythRequests have reached me by a variety of means both formal and informal. No comprehensive record exists but as I have already told the hon. Member in correspondence I have received over 100 requests in total, and have accepted those which my diary allowed and successfully arranged for alternative speakers in but a few cases. It would not be appropriate for Scottish Education Department officials to attend such meetings.