HC Deb 26 November 1987 vol 123 cc276-7W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in the light of the substantial number of responses to his consultative paper on educational reform, he will send each correspondent, or otherwise publicise, a circular indicating the areas of the Education Bill where the detailed plans were influenced by the nature of the responses received by him; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

There have been more than 17,000 responses to our consultation papers. It would not be appropriate to reply to each of these individually. The Government will, however, draw attention during Parliament's consideration of the Education Reform Bill to the many detailed aspects which have been influenced by the consultation process.

Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what studies his Department has carried out, or is aware of, into the level of demand amongst parents for (a) devolved financial control over school budgets and (b) opting out of local education authority control.

Mr. Dunn

Correspondence and meetings with parents throughout the country have satisfied the Government that there is considerable support for these proposals, which were resoundingly endorsed by the electorate only a few months ago.